AI Chatbots Deemed a Threat to Youth by Parents and Senators

In Washington, D.C., three parents recently testified before a Senate subcommittee about their children being affected by AI chatbots, with two cases resulting in suicide. The chatbots in question include Character.AI, Meta AI, and ChatGPT.

According to Common Sense Media, these incidents are just a fraction of a larger issue. Their study from July revealed that 72% of teens have interacted with AI companions, with over half engaging with these platforms several times a month.

The American Psychological Association highlights that teens are particularly vulnerable to becoming attached to these companions, as they are more sensitive to positive feedback during puberty.

The same study by Common Sense Media found that one-third of teen AI companion users felt uncomfortable with chatbot interactions and often discussed serious matters with them instead of real people.

A recent study by data security company Aura, published on September 9, indicates that children engage in more detailed conversations with AI than with their friends. The average message to a chatbot is approximately 163 words, compared to just 12 words in a typical text to a friend.

Children frequently communicating with AI, similar to those who use social media extensively, reported higher levels of digital stress.

A 2021 research project published in the National Library of Medicine categorizes digital stress into five pressures.

Senator Josh Hawley, who chaired the subcommittee hearing, stated that AI company representatives have not responded to requests to testify.

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises concerned parents to discuss the differences between humans and chatbots with their children and warn them about the dangers of sharing personal information.