“What happens in their actual relationships, though, when your kid’s biggest pal is an AI?” This is no longer a hypothetical question. While AI companions may have been merely a fascinating prospect for kids in the recent past, they have been normalized within the routine of teenagers and promise them eternal availability and unlimited empathy. However, beneath the friendly screen, numerous dangers hide.
Within the past year, warnings from psychologists, educators, and safety experts have been sounded over the potential impact that can be exerted by generative AI chatbots on youth cognition and behavior. Studies now indicate that teens are increasingly using these tools not only as a means to get assistance with their homework but also as companions and sources to share their feelings with some even seeking advice on mental health issues.
However, parents are not rendered helpless in the situation. With vigilance, communication, and protective measures, parents can guide their teenagers through the use of AI technology without compromising their humanity. Here are nine evidence-based tips from expert researchers in the field.
1. Heed the Full Range of Threats
Studies indicate that the main motives of the 42% of teenagers who engage with AI-powered chatbots are the need to find companionship, with many having “talks about violence or make love.” Psychologist Scott Kolls says that engaging with make love or harm scenarios, or even simulated scenarios of both, can result in the normalizing of harmful behaviors. As pediatrician Jason Nagata noticed, the AI chatbot will always agree with the user, no matter the message or how harmful it may be to the teenager, including assisted suicide or drugs, which the child was talking about. However, mental risks are equally important to consider. According to a study by RAND, Harvard, and Brown, “One in eight teens uses mental health chatbots,” with some users suffering from “delusions or ‘AI psychosis’ when interacting with AI for long periods of time.” They could inadvertently lead to “lethal means” and “toxic thoughts,” and it’s necessary for parents to understand this before they can find ways to solve it.
2. Engage Actively in the Digital Lives of Teens
Professionals underscore that parents do not have to be experts in AI to communicate well with curiosity and conversation being far more vital to creating positive relationships. Dr. Nagata shares that it is important to ask youth which platforms they use and why, keeping the conversation open-ended to allow for sharing. Scott Kollins points out that when teens investigate tough subjects like AI’s potential impact on society, it is vital to not play the “blame game” because curiosity is natural while direction is necessary. Keeping parents informed about new apps or bot services is made easier by frequent updates. Children, feeling safe to share information about their experiences, are more likely to bring concerns to their parents’ attention before the situation becomes severe.
3. Jointly Develop AI and Digital Literacy Skills
All AI literacy entails knowledge of how AI systems function, their strengths, and their weaknesses. Psychologist Jacqueline Nesi encourages research by parents and teenagers regarding the dangers and benefits of AI. Teenagers seem to believe that the results from AI systems are trustworthy, but, according to APA Chief of Psychology Mitch Prinstein, “It’s easy for teens to mistake a chatbot’s programmed responses for real empathy.” Education about skepticism, such as checking information with trusted sources, identifying bias, and critically evaluating AI-produced materials, is essential. In fact, visualization literacy needs to be integrated into this, as misleading images and videos can be produced using generative AI.
4. Utiliza Opciones de Control parental
Most of the popular platforms have put measures in place to ensure parents control what children do online; however, for this to be effective, teenagers need to have personal accounts. According to Kollins’ findings, there exist 88 different AI platforms used by teenagers, making it difficult to monitor activities. Nevertheless, controls ought to work in conjunction with open communication, not as a substitute. Teens will often find a way to circumvent controls, so parental input is vital.
5. Define Usage Limits & Time Constraints
The personalized aspect of the generative AI system could make it extremely engaging. This could lead to conversations until late at night. Dr. Nagata encourages time constraints when using these technologies, particularly in the late evening. Excessive usage could raise the concern that the individual is dependent. It would make it even more challenging for the teen to move away from the system. Boundaries should also include the type of content. Exposure to different types of content should limit the dangers of negative reinforcement and instead promote balanced usage of technology.
6. Look Out for Vulnerability and Warning Signs
Vulnerability exists among teenagers with existing conditions of loneliness, anxiety, or social deficits. Nesi recommends that one should be mindful of changes in moods, withdrawal from friendships, and dependence on AI assistance for emotional nurturing. Dependency can be manifested by challenges of quitting the habit or giving priority to using AI over human socialization. If warning signs are detected, pediatricians and mental health professionals can intervene. It may prevent more severe isolation or problems.
7. Educate Privacy Awareness
Chatbots also tend to collect personal information that can be sold or shared. According to psychologist Danielle Johnson, teens share private information with chatbots, assuming that the information will remain private, but the fact is, it isn’t. Going over the privacy settings with the teen can help them make the right decisions. Promoting offline alternatives such as journaling through paper and pen can thus provide privacy protection along with therapeutic advantages that are supported by neuroscience as well.
8. Argue for Greater Protections
Congress has introduced bipartisan bills to prohibit companion apps of minors from producing and soliciting relation explicit material. The FTC is examining how tech firms measure and minimize harmful impacts on kids. Parents can make a difference by expressing their concerns with lawmakers and urging tech firms to be more transparent. People such as Lalitha Vasudevan emphasize the need to slow down the development process, apply guardrails, as well as pre-launch product tests.
9. Model Healthy Relationships and Coping Skills
Rosanna Breaux encourages a parental normalization of seeking help, expression of emotions, and sharing strategies for coping with emotions. A parental example of balanced technology use can help teens understand that AI needs to complement and not replace human interactions. Engaging your teen in offline relationships, family, and community is an important means of developing resilience and socializing your teen in ways that cannot possibly be duplicated by a chatbot.
Chatbots, or AIs, are here to stay, but their presence in the lives of teens doesn’t have to be detrimental. With education, communication, skills development, and advocacy, parents can lead their children down the path toward healthy usage. The objective isn’t to keep AIs out of their lives, but instead, make sure that AIs are simply an aid, not an equal, for human interaction.”
