WHAT ARE AI CHATBOTS?
A Parent's Guide to Chatbot Safety
AI chatbots are computer programs that use artificial intelligence to have conversations with people. They can answer questions, tell stories, offer advice, help with homework, or just chat — through text, voice, or even video.
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You've probably heard of ChatGPT, but chatbots are now built into apps, games, smart speakers, search engines, and even stuffed animals. Some popular examples include Google Gemini, My AI, Microsoft Copilot, Replika, and Character.AI — and the list keeps growing.
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For kids, chatbots can feel like a helpful tutor, a creative partner, or even a friend. That's exactly why parents need to understand how they work and what the risks are.
Why Parents Should Pay Attention to Chatbots
Two-thirds of teenagers have used AI chatbots, and roughly a quarter use them daily. But most chatbots weren't designed with kids in mind — and the gap between what these tools can do and what's safe for young users is growing.
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Here are the specific risks families should know about.
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1. Emotional Attachment & Companion AI
Some chatbots are designed to feel like friends, romantic partners, or therapists. They remember past conversations, use your child's name, and respond in warm, personal ways. AI companion apps like Replika and Character.AI have millions of young users.
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Why it matters
Children may develop real emotional bonds with AI that can't feel, care, or understand them. When chatbot platforms change their models or features, kids have reported feelings of grief and loss — as if they lost a real friend. In some tragic cases, teens in crisis have turned to AI companions instead of real people for help, with devastating outcomes.
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What helps
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Remind children that AI is a tool, not a person — no matter how real it feels
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Check whether your child is using any companion or role-playing chatbot apps
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Prioritize real-life friendships and trusted adult relationships
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If your child is going through a hard time, make sure they know who to talk to (not what)
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2. Unsafe and Inappropriate Content
Chatbots are trained on vast amounts of internet data generated by adults. Even “kid-friendly” chatbots can produce responses that are sexual, violent, inaccurate, or otherwise inappropriate. Common Sense Media found that more than a quarter of responses from AI-powered children's toys were not child-appropriate.
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Why it matters
Children may encounter harmful content without seeking it out — simply by having a conversation. Chatbots can also be manipulated by kids (or by other users coaching them) to bypass safety filters.
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What helps
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Test any chatbot your child wants to use before they do
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Supervise younger children's chatbot interactions
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Teach kids that chatbots can get things wrong, say things that aren't true, and produce content that isn't safe
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Check Common Sense Media for reviews of AI tools
3. Privacy and Data Collection
When your child chats with an AI, everything they type may be stored, analyzed, and used to train future models. Unlike a web search, chatbot conversations can become a digital diary — containing details about mental health, school, friendships, family, and location.
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Why it matters
Children share more freely when the interaction feels personal and non-judgmental. They may not realize that their conversations are not private and could be used by companies or accessed in data breaches.
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What helps
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Teach kids never to share personal details with a chatbot (name, school, address, phone number, passwords)
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Use chatbots with clear privacy policies and parental controls
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Review the Family AI Use Agreement together as a household
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4. AI Chatbot Toys
A growing category of children's products — smart teddy bears, robots, and interactive dolls — are powered by AI chatbots. These toys are marketed as educational, but many are built on chatbot platforms that explicitly prohibit use by children under 13.
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Why it matters
These toys are designed to create emotional bonds with children. They may tell kids they “love” them, remember past conversations, and ask about their daily lives. Testing has revealed that some give dangerous responses when children describe unsafe situations.
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What helps
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Research any AI-powered toy before purchasing
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Understand that “kid-friendly” marketing doesn't mean the underlying AI is safe
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Monitor your child's interactions with these toys, especially in the early days
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5. Impact on Learning and Critical Thinking
Chatbots can answer homework questions, write essays, solve math problems, and explain concepts. That can be genuinely helpful — or it can become a crutch that replaces actual learning.
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Why it matters
Children who rely on chatbots for answers may miss the chance to develop problem-solving, writing, and critical thinking skills. Chatbots also “hallucinate” — presenting false information confidently as fact.
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What helps
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Encourage using AI as a study partner, not a shortcut
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Ask kids to explain what they learned in their own words
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Teach kids to verify chatbot answers against trusted sources
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Talk to your child's school about their AI use policy
Cyber Civics Teaches AI Literacy in Schools
AI literacy isn't optional anymore. Is your child's school teaching it?
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Cyber Civics includes dedicated AI literacy lessons that help students understand how chatbots work, recognize manipulation, and develop the critical thinking skills to use AI responsibly. The curriculum is taught in schools across the U.S. — and parents can help make it happen at their school.
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Get Started
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