Teens are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for companionship and advice, valuing the round-the-clock, judgment-free exchanges that can feel more predictable than human interactions. Child-safety advocates warn that simulated empathy can foster unhealthy attachment and may fail to recognize or properly respond to crises, citing incidents in which vulnerable users sought help from bots instead of adults. Nonprofit Common Sense Media calls for strict safeguards and AI literacy in schools, while companies say they are refining crisis protocols and access controls. Experts counsel families to treat AI as a tool, set boundaries, and prioritize real-world support, noting that algorithms can mimic care but cannot replace it.
Teen bonds are shifting as AI chatbots become confidants
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