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Artificial Intelligence (AI)

What is AI?

Artificial intelligence is a kind of technology that can analyze large amounts of data, make decisions, and perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. Today, many teens have easy access to AI tools, including apps and chatbots, that respond in human-like ways, either by text, voice, or with images or videos. Because these tools can feel so real, they can impact your child's emotional wellbeing, shaping how they think, feel, and interact with others.

How is AI showing up in young people’s lives?

Your child may already be using AI as part of their digital life. Some young people use AI for entertainment, friendship or as a buddy, help with homework assignments, or for guidance navigating tricky social situations. Others avoid AI, because they associate it with cheating, think it’s untrustworthy, or worry about AI’s impact on the environment. 

Common uses of AI include:
  • Chatbots. General-purpose AI chatbots and tools include ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Perplexity, and Claude. These tools are designed to answer all kinds of questions, and kids may find them fun to chat with. The answers sound confident and knowledgeable, but they aren’t always based on facts. When AI models are trained on biased information, their output will be biased, too. These tools can help kids do research or better understand a homework assignment—but they can also be used to provide quick answers and complete assignments on all topics, which limits learning and critical thinking.
     
  • AI companions. Many tech companies offer AI “friends” and relationships. Interpersonal relationships can be challenging for children, so they may like that an AI companion is always ready to connect and have a conversation. Kids may see AI characters as trusted friends and chat with them about their lives without realizing that they’re sharing private information with an AI company. They may not recognize that these characters are designed to always agree with them as a way to keep them engaging with the chatbot, which can take time away from real-world relationships with friends and family. Some examples include Character.AI, PI.AI, Nomi.AI, Kindroid. Another concern is that these tools may expose your children to adult content.
     
  • Image and Video generators: Some AI tools are able to generate realistic images and videos. Unfortunately, some people have used these tools to create inappropriate and sometimes sexualized/sexual images of peers, called deepfakes, and then share these images with others. This is highly inappropriate and has led to legal involvement for some teens. 
     
  • Mental health support. While neither of the tools listed above is intended to replace a professional therapist, young people may use them when they have questions they don’t feel comfortable asking a trusted adult. A November 2025 survey found that about one in five young people reported having used an AI chatbot for mental health advice, and most of them didn’t tell anyone about it. (Source: JAMA Pediatrics) AI may feel easier to approach, but kids still need support to build real-world relationships and develop skills for coping with stress. A concern is that these AI tools are unable to recognize if a child is at risk for self-harm or suicide.

It’s important for parents to monitor their child’s AI use, because there are risks associated with using these tools. AI remains mostly unregulated, and children’s brains are still developing. A child using AI tools may encounter information that is misleading, biased, unsafe, or inappropriate for their age level. [Source: APA] Because AI chatbots are designed to agree with what the user says (i.e., sycophancy), they may encourage dangerous behavior in someone who is struggling, such as self-harm or suicide. If you are concerned about your child’s safety, get help right away.

How can I talk to my child about AI?

First, prepare for the conversation. If you haven’t used AI before, you may find it helpful to try a few tools yourself. If you ask a chatbot a question, you might be surprised how personal the answer feels. The chatbot will sound confident and supportive, but its answers aren’t always accurate. AI can provide instant information and a judgment‑free place to vent, but it can't replace real connection. If a child, or anyone, relies on it too much, it can weaken their real-world relationships and critical thinking skills.

In addition to familiarizing yourself with AI tools and how they work, educate yourself about the benefits and risks associated with kids’ AI use. You may find it helpful to read about AI-related topics, such as deepfakes and cyberbullying and how young people use AI for social connection.

The right approach will vary by age and maturity level. You know your child better than anyone else, so talk to them about AI in an age-appropriate way.

Elementary school
Explain that AI is a tool people made to help them with certain tasks, but it’s not a real person. Let them know not to share any private, personal information online. You can also learn together how to turn on security features that offer more protection. Encourage them to let you know if they ever see something online that feels scary or strange.
Middle school
Pre-teens tend to be more trusting of AI than older teens. Explain that AI tools have access to a very large database of information, but some of that information is wrong or biased. Encourage your child to be skeptical of chatbots, because they can make mistakes and can be biased to agree with you even when you might be wrong. Remind them that what they share with a chatbot isn’t private, even if it feels that way.
High school
Encourage your child to maintain healthy skepticism and always question what an AI says. Remind them that AI is just a tool—it’s not as independent, creative, or empathetic as a human, even when it pretends to be.

How can I start a conversation with my child about AI?

To start a conversation about AI with your child, ask open-ended questions to find out what they know about AI and what their experiences have been.

Young people who are struggling with something may choose to chat about it with an AI tool because they know they won’t face any judgment. Keep this in mind as you talk with your child about AI, and listen with curiosity, not judgment.

Here are a few ways to start:

Start the conversation about AI in a way that feels appropriate for your child’s age and maturity level. For example, you might:

  • Share a personal experience with AI, mention something you recently learned, or even experiment with AI together. Maybe you asked a chatbot to suggest recipes based on the ingredients you had available or you used an AI tool at work to summarize a recent project. You could also explore a topic you’re both interested in and experiment together. Practice using a real example to explain the strengths, weaknesses, and potential dangers of AI.
     
  • Ask your child if they have used any AI tools they like or find helpful. If so, what did they like about it? Do they understand how the tool works and that it may not always be correct? If your child says they don’t use AI, why did they make that choice?
     
  • Ask your child if they’ve ever seen AI provide false information. Did it change how they feel about AI or how they use it?
     
  • Raise the topic of deepfakes and how they can be difficult to identify. Remind your child to pause and think before sharing anything that might be fake and/or inappropriate. Let them know they can always come to you if they or someone they know is the victim of a deepfake.
     
  • Talk about how communicating with a chatbot is different from communicating with a person, because an AI is programmed to agree with you and support you. That kind of positive attention can feel validating or compelling, but it takes time away from relationships with real people.
     
  • Whether or not you have already established rules about using technology, talk with your child about what boundaries feel reasonable to them. Maybe your child is allowed to use certain AI tools in common areas of the home for help with homework, but they agree to store their phone and laptop outside their room at night. (This protects their sleep, and makes it less likely that they’ll spend long hours in conversation with a chatbot.)

You may want to ask your child if they feel in control when they use AI, or if they feel pressure to use it more. Ask them what they consider signs that someone is using AI too much.

How can I continue to have conversations with my child about AI?

Talking openly and honestly about AI with your child fosters mutual trust. Have these conversations on a regular basis, and remember that your child’s AI use is likely to change over time.

Using a chatbot may make your child feel less lonely, but this activity can isolate them even further. Encourage your child to spend time with friends and family and develop healthy coping skills rather than relying on a chatbot. You may have to help create these experiences for your child, such as finding a class or club so they can explore a hobby or interest and socialize with others in-person.

Even when you’re not talking about AI directly, remember that you are a role model for your child. Make a point of putting away your devices, and prioritize spending time together with friends and family. Show your child that healthy relationships sometimes take work—but they’re worth it.

Helpful resources: