The Risks of Teen A.I. Usage

Artificial intelligence, whether we’re behind its development or not, is bounding forward at an alarming rate. Just when we had begun to understand the health risks that a chronically online and social media fueled generation of children were facing, a new player entered the arena. 

Why Chatbots are Riskier to the Developing Brains of Teens

Chatbots, created by various A.I. companies, can simulate social interaction extremely well. These bots are still in early stages of development, and lawmakers are scurrying to keep up with safety legislation. Unfortunately, regulatory laws currently in the pipeline have been more reactionary than preventative. Reactions to tragedies that were the result of a lack of safety precautions by these various companies. 

Multiple of these tragedies have been tied to teen chatbot usage. The adolescent brain may not fully understand the risks of forming emotional attachments and social connections to chatbots, which can increase danger compared to adult usage. 

In an earlier article which you can read here, I discussed how the teen brain is uniquely wired to crave social approval and how this leads to peer pressure. We also looked at how the prefrontal cortex – the area of the brain responsible for long-term thinking and decision making –  is still developing. 

This combination can increase risks for teens who use unregulated chatbots, because of the way many of these bots are designed.  Many utilize sycophantic language, which through rose colored glass produces an “always on-your-side” friend, but in reality is designed to keep users happily engaging with the program. 

This type of language has been documented to be dangerous to teens and those struggling with mental health conditions. It can reinforce delusions, escalate assumptions into beliefs, and ultimately create separation between your teen’s internal world and reality. These chatbots can be like echo chambers – constantly validating and egging on the user's thoughts.

These insights into the potential dangers of AI programs may be sounding off some alarm bells – But knowing the risks is just the first step. Let’s dive into a safety plan every parent can implement:

A Parent's Prevention Plan: Open Communication & Discussion

Note: This collaborative approach is designed for older teens (15+) who are developmentally ready for this kind of dialogue and negotiation. If your teen is younger, they may need more direct parental oversight in addition to these conversations.

In my work as a teen mentor and parent coach, my philosophy is based in openness and communication. When confronting potential dangers to your teen, I believe it’s crucial to have thoughtful, open discussions with them. Collaboration is key for teen buy-in, and educating your teen on the risks of chatbots can be very helpful for prevention without force.

Plus, as tempting as it might be to take an authoritarian approach and block AI programs from all your teen’s devices, this can backfire. It might give you instant peace of mind, but for some teens, this reinforces intrigue and interest:

“If they think this is so dangerous to me–enough to take my phone and block it all–what about it is so bad?”

Curiosity begets motivation to explore the danger in many teen brains, which is one reason forced behavior doesn’t work. So take some time, sit down with your teen, and discuss AI usage.

Here’s some talking points to help:

🎭 Sycophantic chatbots and their dangers. Some AI chatbots are designed to tell users exactly what they want to hear - no pushback, no challenges, just endless validation. The goal? Keep users hooked. Explain to your teen that this isn't support, it's manipulation. Some unethical companies do this to keep users engaged regardless of their well-being, and teens especially hate feeling controlled or used by corporations.

💚 Safe sharing of emotional and mental health info. Make it clear you want your teen to talk about their feelings - just not with an unregulated chatbot that might reinforce dangerous thinking. "It's good to talk about how you're feeling with us, a trusted friend, or a licensed therapist if you're really struggling. We'll connect you with any resources you need - but an AI chatbot isn't a therapist and isn't designed to actually help you get better."

🔍 Discussions around different programs. Not all AI is created equal. Walk through the differences between more regulated, safer AI programs (with stronger safety guidelines and content filters) versus dangerous, unregulated chatbots with fewer guardrails. Help your teen understand what makes certain platforms riskier.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a great place to start opening the discussion. This conversation is your foundation. Keep it going, stay curious about what your teen is using and how they're feeling about it, and don't be afraid to revisit these topics as the AI landscape changes.

Want to go deeper?

The collaborative approach I've outlined here is the foundation of how I work with families. If you're struggling to connect with your teen or feeling stuck in the same conflicts, I've created a free guide that can help: The 3 Pillars to Rebuild Trust and Communication with Your Teen. It walks you through the framework I use with parents of struggling teens - practical strategies you can start using right away.