Context · AI
AI chatbots are now built right into the devices our kids already use every day, and they're 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 and responsive and to feel like it really gets your kid, and it’s very good at that. That’s the part a child isn’t equipped to see through yet.
Why your kid is drawn to it
AI companions don't judge and never have a bad day, and for a child who struggles socially that pull feels every bit as real as a friendship, and that makes it easy to lean on.
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 shouldn’t be used by anyone under 18.
Why controls are only part of it
A parental control can stop the download, but it doesn't change what the app is built to do, which is keep your kid talking and attached and coming back. That's why understanding it matters as much as blocking it.
What you might notice
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 slowly takes the place of human friendship, crowding it out before anyone notices.