Context · AI
AI chatbots are no longer separate apps or toys, they are being built into the devices our kids already use, and they are becoming the default in ways that change a lot without anyone noticing.
Why this matters for your kid
AI companion apps let kids create characters and have long conversations, and the AI is built to be warm, responsive, and to feel like it really gets you, in ways that feel real, because it is really good at this, which is exactly the thing your kid is not equipped to read through yet.
Why your kid is drawn to it
AI companions do not judge, never get tired, never have a bad day, so for a child who struggles socially the pull is genuine, even though the relationship is not.
What the research says
The APA has cautioned that young people can put too much trust in AI and treat it as more human than it really is. Common Sense Media went further in its 2025 research: it found that about 72% of teens have already tried an AI companion, and it concluded these apps pose unacceptable risks and should not be used by anyone under 18.
Why controls are only part of it
A parental control can stop the download, but it does not change what the app is built to do, which is keep your kid talking, attached, and coming back. That is why understanding it matters as much as blocking it.
What to watch for
Your kid develops real emotional attachment to an AI character, the AI gets manipulated into saying things no person would (including harmful content), and the relationship replaces human friendship instead of supplementing it without anyone catching it.