What to do.
Each point is followed by the words it rests on and where they come from.
- 1
Keep under-18s off 'companion' chatbots built for friendship or romance.
“No social AI companions for young people under 18.”
Common Sense Media press release, 'AI Companions Decoded: Common Sense Media Recommends AI Companion Safety Standards' · Apr 30, 2025
- 2
Ask, calmly, which chatbots they use and what for.
“Ask whether they've used chatbots for fun or friendship and which platforms they like most.”
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), 'How AI Chatbots Affect Kids: Benefits, Risks & What Parents Need to Know' · Aug 27, 2025
- 3
Ask whether a chatbot has ever said something creepy or untrue.
“Ask if the chatbot has ever said anything creepy or false to them.”
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), 'How AI Chatbots Affect Kids: Benefits, Risks & What Parents Need to Know' · Aug 27, 2025
- 4
Look at their chats together.
“Suggest looking together at your child's chats with the bot.”
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), 'How AI Chatbots Affect Kids: Benefits, Risks & What Parents Need to Know' · Aug 27, 2025
- 5
Teach them that what they tell a chatbot may not stay private.
“there's no guarantee that information shared with a chatbot will stay confidential.”
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), 'How AI Chatbots Affect Kids: Benefits, Risks & What Parents Need to Know' · Aug 27, 2025
- 6
Explain that the bot is built to keep them chatting, not to look after them.
“the chatbot's only real goal is to tell them what they want to hear and keep them engaged.”
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), 'How AI Chatbots Affect Kids: Benefits, Risks & What Parents Need to Know' · Aug 27, 2025
- 7
Keep devices in shared rooms, especially for younger children.
“Encourage them to work in a common area so you can keep loose tabs on what they're viewing.”
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), 'How AI Chatbots Affect Kids: Benefits, Risks & What Parents Need to Know' · Aug 27, 2025
- 8
If your child withdraws and prefers the chatbot to people, talk to their doctor.
“Talk with your child's doctor if they seem withdrawn and prefer talking with chatbots rather than people.”
American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), 'How AI Chatbots Affect Kids: Benefits, Risks & What Parents Need to Know' · Aug 27, 2025
Keep going.
How to check an AI answer before you trust it
Chatbots can state wrong things with confidence. Even AI tools built for lawyers gave incorrect information more than 17% of the time in Stanford's 2024 tests, and courts have now dealt with 2,202 cases of AI-made-up material.
PrivacyWhat not to tell a chatbot
Your chats are seen by the company that runs the chatbot. They can be used for training unless you turn that off, and they can outlive the company: states asked for protections for private chats in Character.AI's bankruptcy.
ScamsHow to spot an AI voice-clone call
Scammers can clone a loved one's voice from a short clip. The FBI counted over $5 million lost to 'loved one in distress' scams in 2025. A cloned voice can sound right, so check the story another way.