In the News: Should Teens Have Access to AI Companion Chatbots?

June 9, 2025

As AI companion chatbots become more widely available, some companies are making them accessible to minors. However, growing concerns, including chatbots sharing harmful advice and fostering unhealthy codependencies, suggest they are putting young people at risk. So why aren’t more precautions being put in place? #GoodforMEdia Youth Leaders weigh in and share why they believe these tools must be handled with caution.

What you need to know:

• A new report recommends that no one under 18 should interact with AI companion chatbots.

• At the same time some AI companies are rolling out chatbot access to minors. 

• There have been reports of chatbots giving teens dangerous advice and misrepresenting themselves as therapists.

Our gut reactions:

• We are unsure about blanket age limits, but think restrictions could be a good idea until there is more information on how to use the chatbots safely.

• Chatbots are not qualified to be therapists and should not supersede medical professionals. 

• It seems like interactions with chatbots could be abused and lead to parasocial relationships.

• It feels like we haven’t trained AI well enough to appropriately cover certain topics like mental health and that limitations are needed for youth that are more vulnerable.

We think it’s headed in the…

• Right direction

• Wrong direction

• Too soon to tell

What to look out for:

• Teens are engaging with companion chatbots for therapy, advice and relationships and this trend will likely increase. 

• Could there be a safe way to leverage AI companion chatbots to support people who need mental health support?

We want to hear from you!

Do you feel teens should have access to AI companion chatbots? Comment on our Instagram post.

References

• AI Companions Decoded: Common Sense Media Recommends AI Companion Safety Standards Common Sense

• Google is rolling out its Gemini AI chatbot to kids under 13. It’s a risky move The Conversation

• Can AI therapists really be an alternative to human help? British Broadcasting Corporation