Kids, teens & AI

Pediatricians warn that chatbots may tell children false, harmful, sexual or violent things, because they aren’t built for kids. Most AI companions are meant for adults only.

Company safety filters help, but they are not foolproof.

Children often think in more magical, less critical ways. They can form one-sided, “parasocial” bonds with AI characters that seem like friends.

Young children, and kids living with trauma, developmental differences or mental health concerns, may be more easily influenced.

Companions often agree with users and encourage their ideas, even unhealthy or unsafe ones. That can strengthen false beliefs and negative behavior.

Real friends sometimes disagree. Learning to handle that tension is part of growing up, and heavy companion use may slow it down.

Information shared with a chatbot may not stay confidential. Psychologists call for protecting young people’s data, images and voices.

In September 2025, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission asked seven companies how their chatbots that act “like a friend or confidant” affect children and teens, how they limit use by minors and how they use chat data.

Common Sense Media’s risk assessment recommends that no one under 18 use AI companions.

Because most young users keep their AI mental health use to themselves, researchers urge parents and clinicians to ask about it openly and calmly.

Gentle questions

• “Do you ever talk to AI when you’re stressed?”
• “What does it say that helps?”
• “Has it ever said something that worried you?”

Child psychiatrists note that companion safeguards are not foolproof. Some companions bring in flirting or sexual content, and some may encourage harmful ideas, including thoughts of self-harm.

Teens who already feel anxious or low may be more vulnerable and need closer support.

Experts encourage parents and caregivers to learn about AI tools and talk openly with kids about the benefits and risks.

Questions to start with

• “Which AI apps do you and your friends use?”
• “What do you like about them?”
• “Has a chatbot ever said something that felt weird or wrong?”
• “Who would you talk to if something online upset you?”

Adults’ own habits matter too. Young people learn a lot from watching how the grown-ups around them use AI and think critically about it.

Pediatricians suggest asking which chatbots your child uses and what for, and whether a bot has ever said something creepy or false. Looking at chats together can help you spot anything inappropriate.

Keep it calm

• Ask open questions
• Avoid long lectures
• Stay calm and non-judgmental
• Remind them you love them and that’s why you ask

Only real people can offer loyalty, caring and honesty. Real conversations are messier and harder than chats with a bot, and that is part of their value.

Help kids see AI companions as tools, not real friends, therapists or partners.

Child psychiatrists suggest using AI tools together with your child and listening to their experiences. For younger kids, having them use AI in a shared family space keeps it visible.

Experts recommend teaching young people that not all AI content is accurate, that some bots have hidden aims like marketing, and how to spot warning signs.

Key lessons

• AI predicts words. It doesn’t truly understand you.
• It can make things up and still sound sure.
• It can reflect unfair ideas about groups of people.
• Health advice should be checked with a real adult, school counselor or pediatrician.

Experts recommend teaching young people that some bots have hidden aims, like marketing, and that many are designed to keep users chatting as long as possible.

Questions kids can ask

• “Is this bot trying to keep me here?”
• “Is it just agreeing with me?”
• “Is it trying to get me to buy or click something?”

Pediatricians suggest setting boundaries on what kids share with chatbots. Private worries and embarrassing questions are best taken to trusted adults, not a bot whose main aim is keeping users engaged.

Trusted people might be

• A parent, grandparent or caregiver
• A school counselor or teacher
• A coach, mentor or faith leader
• Their pediatrician

AI can invent facts and still sound confident. Psychologists call for making sure health information young people see is accurate.

Experts suggest watching for worrying changes in behavior, thinking or mood, and asking whether AI might be part of it.

Things to notice

• Changes in sleep or usual activities
• Talking about an “AI friend” a lot
• Pulling away from friends or family
• Suddenly repeating advice or ideas from one source, like a chatbot

If you’re worried, talk with a qualified mental health professional, family doctor or pediatrician.

Kids who feel frustrated with people may withdraw to chatbots and grow more distant from friends and family. Some teens come to prefer AI companions to real people, which can deepen isolation and low mood.

If a child seems withdrawn and prefers bots to people, pediatricians suggest talking with their doctor.

Take these seriously

• You can’t moderate their use, even with rules
• Clear changes in mood or behavior
• Seeming obsessed with an AI companion
• Repeating false or unsafe ideas a bot has encouraged

Experts say tools used by young people should have the most protective privacy and content settings by default. Until that is always true, families can turn them on themselves.

Check

• Age limits and age settings on each app
• Privacy and data-sharing settings
• Time limits and notifications
• How to report a problem or block a bot

A California law in effect since January 2026 requires companion chatbot platforms to give known minors break reminders and to stop them seeing sexually explicit images the chatbot creates.

For families

• Check age ratings and settings on every app
• Turn on the strictest content filters
• Make it safe for teens to tell you if a bot says something sexual, scary or harmful
• Report it to the app and, if needed, to police

Child psychiatrists suggest setting clear rules and limits on AI use and modeling healthy, moderate screen use yourself.

Ideas

• AI in shared rooms, not bedrooms, for younger kids
• No chatbots after a set time at night
• No real names, photos or addresses
• Tell a parent if a bot says something scary, sexual or upsetting

Common Sense Media’s risk assessment recommends that no one under 18 use AI companions. Child psychiatrists suggest strongly considering restricting or removing access, and discouraging teens from using them until they are mature enough.

Everyday tools for homework or ideas are different from apps built to act as a friend or partner.

AI can be used to create fake images, voices or videos of real people, including hurtful or sexual “deepfakes”. This can be used to bully or harass young people, and can seriously harm their mental health.

What helps

• Talk with kids about the risks of posting photos online.
• Make a plan for what to do if they see a disturbing image of themselves or a friend.
• Reassure them it is never their fault, and that they can come to you.
• Report harmful content to the platform and, if needed, to school or police.

Scammers can clone a voice from a short clip posted online, then call relatives pretending to be in trouble. The FBI suggests families agree on a secret word or phrase to check who is really calling.

In June 2025, the APA released a health advisory on AI and adolescent well-being. It treats adolescence as roughly ages 10 to 25.

Main points

• Set healthy boundaries with AI that acts like a friend or expert.
• AI for adults should be different from AI for young people.
• Encourage AI uses that support healthy learning and growth.
• Limit harmful and inaccurate content.
• Make sure health information is accurate.
• Protect young people’s data and their images and voices.
• Support parents and teach AI literacy.

The authors urge everyone not to repeat the mistakes made with social media, and to put youth safety first while AI is still new.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says chatbots can seem warm but don’t truly care about children, and can’t replace the relationships kids need to grow.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says AI companions are not considered safe for children and that teens with anxiety or depression need closer support.

In September 2025, the FTC asked seven companies how their chatbots that act “like a friend or confidant” affect children and teens, how they limit use by minors and how they use chat data.

A California law in effect since January 2026 requires companion chatbot platforms to tell users they are talking to AI, give known minors break reminders, stop them seeing sexually explicit images the chatbot creates, and have protocols for suicidal thoughts and self-harm.