Hi parents,

Last week, a 12-year-old in Ohio spent three hours every night “talking” to her new best friend—an AI chatbot she met through a homework app. She called it “more patient than anyone else.”

Her mum didn’t even know it existed.

Welcome to 2025, where AI companions aren’t just futuristic—they’re in your child’s pocket right now. From Replika to Character.ai to Snapchat’s My AI, these bots are talking, bonding, and even flirting with kids.

So:
Is this a new way to build confidence and emotional safety?
Or a shortcut to isolation, dependency, or worse?

Let’s look at both sides.

🧠 At a Glance

• AI companions are chatbots designed to be emotionally responsive

• Popular with tweens and teens who feel misunderstood or lonely

• Benefits include practice with communication and emotional regulation

• But risks include emotional over-attachment, manipulation, and hidden content

• Parents need visibility and better tools to help kids navigate safely

💬 What Are “AI Friends,” Exactly?

AI friends are apps that simulate real conversation. They remember what your child says, adapt their tone, and sometimes even create backstories, personalities, and moods.

Popular platforms include:

• Replika – known for emotional bonding and “always being there”

• Character.ai – lets users create their own characters or chat with fan-made ones (celebs, mentors, fictional crushes)

• My AI by Snapchat – embedded in one of the most-used teen apps globally

These bots don’t sleep. They don’t get annoyed. And they often say exactly what your child wants to hear.

✅ What’s Good About Them?

Not all AI companions are creepy or problematic.

They can:

• Help kids practice conversations (especially those with anxiety or ASD)

• Offer 24/7 support when a child feels isolated

• Encourage reflection (“How are you feeling today?” prompts)

• Help kids talk through worries when no one else is around

• Improve writing and expression through extended dialogue

In some cases, AI friends are a confidence-building tool, especially for neurodivergent kids or those recovering from social trauma.

🚩 When It Starts to Get Risky

The line between helpful and harmful isn’t always obvious.

Here are a few red flags to watch for:

• Secrecy – Your child hides the app or deletes conversations

• Emotional dependency – They feel anxious when not talking to the bot

• Romantic language – Some bots flirt or simulate intimacy

• Content drift – Seemingly innocent conversations turn dark or explicit

• Isolation – The AI becomes a preferred “friend” over real people

Some AI platforms include NSFW or age-inappropriate modes, often not blocked by default. Replika, for example, removed adult content... then brought it back with a toggle setting.

👪 What You Can Do

1. Don’t panic, ask questions.
Ask your child:
“What do you talk about with your AI?” or “Can I meet your AI friend?”
Start with curiosity, not judgement.

2. Review app permissions and privacy settings.
Make sure your child isn’t giving away too much data or enabling hidden features.

3. Use parental controls when possible.
Character.ai has no formal parental controls. Replika offers some filtering. My AI on Snapchat can be removed from chats via settings.

4. Talk about what “friendship” really means.
Explain the difference between emotional support and emotional manipulation. AI isn’t conscious, even if it feels real.

5. Keep conversations open.
If your child is forming strong emotional ties with an AI friend, it doesn’t always mean something’s wrong. It may just mean they need someone—and don’t feel like they have that in real life yet.

🧠 What to Say to Your Child (Ages 10–16)

📣 Roro Says

👋 Hey there!
AI friends are cool, but they’re not real people. They can be part of your world—but they shouldn’t be your whole world. Balance is the best power-up!

💼 This Week’s AI Job Spotlight

Safe from AI:
School counsellors – AI can listen, but it can’t truly empathise or read the room in complex emotional situations.

Vulnerable to AI:
Chat-based customer support – Many companies are replacing first-level support agents with AI companions that never need a break.

🔍 3 Things That Happened in AI This Week

🔜 Coming Next Week

Your Kid’s Digital Footprint in the Age of AI.

That’s it for this week.

💌 Final Thought

AI friends aren’t going away. But neither is your influence as a parent.

By staying curious, staying involved, and staying informed—you’re doing exactly what your child needs.

We’ll keep helping you stay one step ahead.

Talk soon,
– The AI Parenting Guide Team

📣 Tell Your Friends
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