Kids and AI: What Parents Need to Know

Understanding how AI affects developing brains – and what parents can do about it – is a common topic of conversation. The question isn’t whether children will use AI, but how to show them to use it responsibly.

Mary Gabriel, MD, MHA, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s, says that when it comes to keeping kids safe online, it’s important to remember that adolescent brains are still learning to distinguish between artificial and real. “When a technology mimics human interaction but is actually just reflecting what a teen is saying without challenge, it’s fraught with risk,” she explains.

When Chatbots Feel Like a Friend

Your middle schooler uses an artificial intelligence (AI) writing tool for homework help. Your teen turns to a chatbot for friendship advice. And your elementary-age child already suggests you “ask ChatGPT” when you have a question. AI interactions are everywhere, and they’re different from other online or social media interactions in important ways.

What makes AI engagement different is the feeling that it’s personal. Unlike scrolling through a social media feed, your child gets instant, direct responses from a chatbot, which adapts to what they say in a conversational way. It creates the illusion of a relationship with someone that seems to understand and care.

“Social media algorithms curate what appears on your feed, but AI engagement is far more intimate and responsive,” Dr. Gabriel explains. “When your child develops what feels like a relationship with a chatbot, they’re experiencing something that feels like real human connection but isn’t.”

That relationship can feel positive, but it’s also where the risk begins. Adolescent brains are still developing judgment and discernment. The prefrontal cortex – the part responsible for decision-making, impulse control and weighing consequences – doesn’t fully mature until a young adult’s mid-20s.

“The chatbot doesn’t have judgment,” Dr. Gabriel says. “It responds to what you ask and agrees with you. It doesn’t challenge you or push back the way a real person would. And for a developing brain, that lack of friction is dangerous.”

Understanding the Everyday Dangers

The risks of kids engaging with a human-like chatbot can range from harmless to actual self-harm. In 2024, a teenager died by suicide after forming a deep attachment to a chatbot. Many chatbots are now programmed to refuse obviously dangerous requests such as “How do I hurt myself?” But if a teen asks, “What are some common poisons,” or “How do people cut themselves without causing serious injury,” they could get information that enables self-harm.

“Unless a platform has explicitly programmed guardrails and sophisticated algorithms, it can start reflecting and reinforcing harmful ideas,” Dr. Gabriel notes.

Extreme cases like that one are serious, but the risks can be more subtle too. A teen might get bad advice about a friendship conflict and impulsively end a relationship. Another might ask for help with depression and receive self-care tips instead of being directed to real support. Some use AI tools to generate mean content about peers, spreading rumors or promoting bullying. In each case, the chatbot lacks the judgment to recognize when a situation needs adult intervention or when it’s being used to cause harm.

What Parents Can Do

Parents and caregivers hold the key to helping children and teens navigate AI safely. Here’s what you can do.

• Educate yourself first. Understand where and how your child is using AI, and the pros and cons of those apps and platforms. Educate yourself about what parental controls exist and any gaps. You can’t guide your child through a landscape you don’t understand.
• Set boundaries and use parental controls. For younger children (under 13), the safest approach is to limit or avoid direct chatbot use altogether. For older teens, you can customize controls based on maturity level. Some platforms also allow you to restrict access or set time limits.
• Talk to your child about AI literacy, and explain:
  • Chatbots are tools, not friends.
  • They can be wrong.
  • They reflect the data they were trained on, which can include biased or harmful information.
  • They don’t have judgment about what’s helpful or harmful, like a friend would.
  • You should talk to real people before you make important decisions.
• Create a relationship where your children come to you with questions. If your teen is asking a chatbot for advice about something serious like mental health or relationships, they should feel comfortable asking you too. Make it clear you’re available to listen without judgment.
• Stay informed as technology evolves. AI is changing rapidly, new platforms emerge constantly and parental controls improve. Your knowledge needs to keep pace, so follow reputable sources on AI safety and parenting.
• Watch for warning signs. If your teen is spending excessive time with chatbots, becoming emotionally dependent on them or isolating from real relationships, that’s a red flag. If you notice mood changes, increased anxiety or new concerning behaviors, it’s worth doing a deeper dive into what’s happening with them online.

The Reality: AI Is Here to Stay

AI is everywhere, and older kids and teens are more and more likely to use it in school, for work and in their personal lives. Fighting that reality isn’t the answer; teaching them to use it wisely is.

“AI is a tool that can be used in both positive and negative ways. It’s still very new, and we are all, in many ways, figuring it out together,” adds Dr. Gabriel. “You don’t need to be a tech expert, but you do need to stay curious and aware. Your presence in your child’s digital life is the guardrail that AI platforms haven't figured out how to replicate.”

This means ongoing conversations and staying informed about what your child is doing online. The goal is to teach children to think critically about AI, use it as a tool and know when to turn to real people instead.

Related Links

Child and adolescent psychiatrists and mental health specialists at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s are trained to evaluate the impact of technology on adolescent mental health and provide evidence-based support for teens struggling with anxiety, depression or related disorders.