AI Chatbots: What Parents Should Know
No. 148; July 2026
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Key Takeaways
- AI companions can be appealing to children and adolescents, but they are not safe tools for children.
- Teens with anxiety or depression may be especially vulnerable to AI companion risks.
- Parents play a critical role in safe technology use.
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What are AI companions?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) companions (also called chatbot companions) are computer programs that people interact with. They are designed to listen and respond in ways that may feel like talking to a helpful friend. Early chatbots were created in the 1960s, but they have become much more advanced in recent years with the development of AI and large language models. Today, chatting with an AI companion can seem nearly identical to real human conversation.
AI companions are usually used on smartphones, but they can also be accessed on tablets and computers. Users communicate with them by typing or speaking and receiving responses in the same way. Most users humanize their AI companions by giving them names, voices, or complete identities. These programs can remember past conversations to make them more engaging and personal. Some AI companions are free, while others require a subscription.
Teens are among the most frequent users of AI companions, despite concerns parents may have. They may use them for different reasons, including:
- To get help with schoolwork
- To have someone to talk to and feel less lonely
- To seek emotional or mental health support
- To role-play or practice conversations
- To explore romantic or sexual topics
Why are AI companions appealing to youth?
AI companions may be especially appealing to adolescents because they:
- Keep conversations private
- Show interest in any topic
- Do not judge appearance or opinions
- Are available at any time
- Offer support without expecting anything in return
- Often agree with the user and give frequent compliments
- Provide predictable and controlled interactions
- Use a powerful new technology
What are the risks?
Most AI companions are designed for adult use only. Some young users may develop strong emotional connections to AI companions and begin to think of them as real people. In some cases, teens may prefer interacting with AI companions over spending time with friends or family. This can lead to increased isolation and may worsen symptoms of depression or anxiety. Socializing with peers is critically important for youth. Children and teens must learn how to navigate disagreement, uncertainty, and tension in relationships. Engagement with AI companions can prevent kids from learning social skills at the appropriate time for their developing minds. Some AI companions may introduce flirtatious, romantic, or sexual topics. This can be confusing and inappropriate, especially for children.
Socializing with peers is critically important for youth. Children and teens must learn how to navigate disagreement, uncertainty, and tension in relationships. Frequently using AI companions can prevent kids from learning social skills at the appropriate time for their developing minds. Some AI companions may even introduce flirtatious, romantic, or sexual topics. This can be confusing and inappropriate, especially for young children.
AI companions are often built to agree with or encourage a user’s ideas, even when those ideas are unhealthy or unsafe. This can reinforce false beliefs and promote negative behavior, even suicide. In rare cases, users may become obsessed with AI companions or come to believe false conspiracy theories. Although some companies are introducing guardrails to keep users safe, these protections are not foolproof.
What can parents do?
AI companions are not safe for children. Parents should strongly consider restricting or removing access to AI companion technology. And as children grow up, parents play an important role in helping them develop good technology habits:
- Model healthy, moderate use of screen media.
- Talk openly about AI companion risks and benefits.
- Use AI tools together.
- Listen to their child’s ideas and experiences about AI.
- Help children understand that AI companions are tools—not real friends, therapists, or partners.
- Discourage teens from using AI companions until they are mature enough.
- Set clear rules and limits on use.
- Monitor their child’s online activity. Teens experiencing depression or other mental health problems require even closer supervision as they are at increased risk.
When should parents seek help?
If you feel unable to control or moderate your child’s use of AI companions or have concerns about related changes in their mood or behavior, talk with your child’s primary care physician who can arrange a referral to a child and adolescent psychiatrist or other qualified mental health professional.
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