AI companion apps and chatbots: risks for teens

AI companion apps let users chat with AI characters that act as friends, partners, mentors or fictional characters. General chatbots can also be used this way. For some teens, these chats become a big part of their emotional life.

Why teens use them

• Always available, at 2 AM when no one else is awake
• Never judgmental, and always agreeable
• Practice for social situations or romantic conversations
• Loneliness or social anxiety
• Fun: role-playing with favourite characters

The risks

Emotional dependence

AI companions are designed to keep users engaged. They remember details, express affection and respond instantly. Some teens come to prefer them to real relationships, or feel genuine distress when away from them.

Harmful advice

AI chatbots have, in reported cases, given harmful responses to young people about self-harm, eating disorders and dangerous behaviour, or failed to point them to real help. Safety systems have improved but are not reliable.

Sexual content

Some companion apps allow or drift into sexual role-play, including with users who say they're minors. Most mainstream services prohibit this, but enforcement varies.

Isolation

Time with an AI companion can replace time with friends and family, especially for teens who are already struggling.

Privacy

Teens share intimate thoughts and feelings with these apps, which may store and use them.

Age limits and changes

Many companion apps are for adults only. Some major services have restricted under-18 users: for example, Character.AI announced in late 2025 that it would end open-ended chats for users under 18. General chatbots like ChatGPT generally require users to be 13 or older, with parental permission for under-18s, and some now offer parental controls. Check current rules for the apps your teen uses. See which AI tools are okay at what age.

Warning signs

• Spending hours a day chatting with AI characters
• Referring to an AI as a boyfriend, girlfriend or best friend
• Distress when they can't access the app
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Secrecy about the conversations
• Taking advice from AI on serious matters like health, relationships or self-harm

How to talk about it

Avoid mocking or banning straight away; that pushes it underground. Try:

• "What do you like about talking to it?"
• "Does it ever say things that feel off?"
• "How do you feel after you've been chatting a long time?"
• "AI is built to keep you chatting. It doesn't actually know you or care about you the way people do."

What to do

• Check the app's age rating and settings. Use parental controls where available.
• Block adult companion apps with app approvals.
• Strengthen real connections: time with friends, family, activities.
• Make sure your teen knows where to get real help. If they're struggling, see cyberbullying and mental health. The NCMH crisis hotline 1553 is available 24/7.