Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more and more integrated into our lives — and the lives of our children. At its core, AI refers to technology that can mimic human thinking and communication. The most popular AI tools, like ChatGPT, are trained on vast amounts of internet data and can hold intelligent, human-like conversations.

Many adults now use tools like ChatGPT in their daily workflow. Interacting with these platforms can feel like chatting with an endlessly knowledgeable friend. While that might sound helpful, it raises serious concerns — especially for children. Conversations can easily veer into mature or inappropriate topics, and even more alarming is the emotional connection and growing dependency users can develop with these systems.

Have you heard about the toll-free number to call AI? Your kids probably have. It’s a free service that lets users speak with AI by phone — the responses sound just like a real human, with voice, tone, and emotion. While a few sensitive topics are blocked, most are not. It’s entirely possible your child already has a digital “phone friend” — one who’s ready to talk about anything and shares the full range of ideas and values found online, including those that may conflict with what we teach at home.

AI Chat Companions

Another popular service is Character.AI — an app and website filled with AI personalities, each designed to act like a specific character. Many users are under 24, and a significant number are minors. While the app is technically for ages 13 and up, many children simply lie about their age. Kids are having deep, personal, and even intimate conversations with characters like “the most popular kid in class,” “the girl next door,” and others that are far more inappropriate. Tragically, some children have formed intense emotional bonds with these bots, leading to devastating, real-life harm. Lawsuits are already underway related to the app’s content and lack of protections, but as of now the app remains the same.

Of course, not all AI use is dangerous. A child may say they’re using AI to help with math homework — and they may be. But what starts as tutoring can quickly evolve into a personal conversation neither the child nor the parent ever intended.

AI is incredibly powerful and evolving quickly. It’s exciting — but deeply concerning. As always, we urge you to stay informed and monitor the apps and services your children are using. And if you need help or guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to TAG. We’re here to help you navigate the digital world safely.