Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more common in our daily lives. From voice assistants to apps that help with homework, AI is everywhere, including in the hands of kids and teens.
As parents, it can be hard to keep up. Many of us are still learning how AI works, let alone how it may be shaping our children’s mental health, social interactions and schoolwork. While AI can be helpful in many ways, it also raises important questions: How is it affecting children’s mental health? What role does it play in how kids learn? What can parents do to help their kids use AI in safe and healthy ways?
Mental Health Concerns: Is AI a “Friend?”
Some AI platforms are designed to chat like a friend, responding to emotional questions and offering support. These are often referred to as “companion AI.” You may have heard about these in the news lately following the suicide death of a 14-year-old boy last year. Shortly before he took his own life he had been interacting with one such platform. More recently, Common Sense Media, a nonprofit media watchdog organization, and Stanford University released a report saying companion AI apps pose “unacceptable risks” to children and teenagers.
It's easy to understand their appeal. For a child who feels lonely, anxious or misunderstood, these tools can feel comforting. However, there’s a big problem: AI doesn’t understand emotion. AI isn’t a real friend. It isn’t a trained counselor, and it can’t respond the way that a caring adult would. Some platforms have safety features, but not all. AI may give advice or respond in ways that are confusing or even harmful to kids and teens.
What Parents Can Do:
- Ask your child what apps, websites or tools they use to chat or get support.
- Limit their use of companion AI and make sure they understand the potential dangers of such platforms.
- Create a safe space to talk. Let your child know they can always come to you or another trusted adult if they’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious or sad.
- Watch for red flags or signs of mental health struggles, such as changes in sleep or eating, withdrawing from friends or seeming more upset than usual.
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AI and Academics: Helpful Tool or Harmful Shortcut?
While some kids are using AI for emotional support, many are also turning to it for academic help. Platforms like ChatGPT or Grammarly can help students brainstorm ideas, fix writing mistakes or explain hard topics. These tools can be helpful when used the right way, but sometimes students may rely on AI too much (like using it to write an entire paper). This might seem like a quick fix, but it gets in the way of learning and may lead to problems at school. Students still need to think for themselves, even if AI is part of the process. As with most things, balance is key. AI can support learning, but it shouldn’t replace it.
What Parents Can Do:
- Ask your child how they’re using AI for school and what tools they are using.
- Help your child understand the difference between using AI as a helper versus a shortcut to completing assignments.
- Encourage your child to do the thinking first, then use AI (with your support or a teacher’s support) to polish or check their work.
- Talk with your child’s teacher(s) if you’re unsure what’s allowed. Some schools have clear policies about AI use.
Parents Don’t Have To Be Tech Experts!
AI is evolving fast, and it’s okay not to have all the answers. What matters most is keeping the lines of communication open. Be curious, ask questions and let your child or teen know you’re there to help them think critically, stay safe and feel supported. The biggest message is, they are not in trouble. Nothing is ever too big and nothing is such a big mistake that you can’t ask for help. If your child is struggling with their mental health or if you have concerns about how technology may be impacting them, it is okay to ask for help!
