These tips from experts can help your teenager navigate AI companions

While artificial intelligence technology is part of daily life, adolescents are turning to chatbots to get advice, advice and a conversation. The call is clear: chatbots are patient, never judged, favorable and always available.

This worries experts who say that the booming AI industry is largely unregulated and that many parents have no idea how their children use AI tools or the extent of personal information they share with chatbots.

New research shows that more than 70% of American teenagers have used AI companions and more than half regularly converse with them. Common Sense Media’s study focused on “IA companions”, such as character. AI, Nomi and Foldka, which he defines as “friends or digital characters with whom you can send SMS or speak when you wish”, compared to AI assistants or tools like Chatgpt, although it notes that they can be used in the same way.

It is important that parents understand technology. Experts suggest certain things that parents can do to help protect their children:

– Start a conversation, without judgment, explains Michael Robb, chief researcher of Common Sense Media. Do you approach your teenager with curiosity and basic questions: “Have you heard of AI companions?” “Do you use applications that speak to you like a friend?” Listen and understand what makes your teenager before being disdainful or saying that you worry.

– Help adolescents to recognize that AI companions are scheduled to be pleasant and validate. Explain that it is not how real relationships work and that real friends with their own views can help navigate in difficult situations in a way that IA companions cannot.

“One of the things that is really worrying is not only what is happening on the screen, but how long it prevents children from relationships in real life,” explains Mitch Prinstein, head of psychology of American psychological association. “We must teach children that it is a form of entertainment. It is not real, and it is really important that they distinguish it from reality and should not have it replaced relationships in your real life. ”

APA recently published a health opinion on AI and adolescent well-being, and advice for parents.

– Parents must monitor signs of unhealthy attachments.

“If your adolescent prefers AI interactions to real relationships or spends hours talking to AI companions, or showing that they become emotionally in distress when they are separated from them – these are models that suggest that IA companions could replace the human connection,” said Robb.

– Parents can establish rules on using AI, just as they do for screen time and social media. Have discussions on the moment and how AI tools can and cannot be used. Many IA companions are designed for the use of adults and can imitate romantic, intimate and role scenarios.

Although IA companions can feel favorable, children must understand that the tools are not equipped to manage a real crisis or provide real mental health support. If children are struggling with depression, anxiety, loneliness, a food disorder or other mental health challenges, they need human support – whether family, friends or a mental health professional.

– Be informed. The more the parents know AI, the better. “I do not think that people get completely what AI can do, how many teenagers use it and why it is starting to become a little frightening,” said Prinstein, one of the many experts calling for regulations to ensure security railing for children. “Many of us launch our hands and say,” I don’t know what it is! ” It sounds crazy! Unfortunately, that said to children if you have a problem with this, don’t come to me because I will decrease and lower it.

Older adolescents also have advice for parents and children. The ban on AI tools is not a solution because technology becomes omnipresent, explains Ganesh Nair, 18.

“Trying not to use AI is like trying not to use social media today. He is too anchored in everything we do, ”explains Nair, who tries to step back from the use of AI companions after having seen them real friendships in his high school. “The best way you can try to regulate it is to embrace the questioning.”

“All that is difficult, AI can be easy. But that’s a problem, ”explains Nair. “Actively search for challenges, academic or personal. If you fall into the idea that easier, it is better, you are the most vulnerable to be absorbed in this newly artificial world. ”

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