By Kerry Gallagher
A new study published in the Journal of Adolescence (2026) by Hinduja and Patchin sheds light on the growing use of Conversational AI (CAI) chatbots, also known as AI Companions, among teens aged 13-17. While many youth use these “AI friends” for entertainment (85%) or advice (65.6%), the data reveals significant risks that parents should not ignore.
The Data: Harms and Vulnerabilities The study, which surveyed 3,466 U.S. youth, found that nearly half (47.1%) of 13-17 year old CAI users experienced at least one form of harm. Harms included:
- 32.3% were asked for uncomfortable personal information
- 23.1% felt manipulated or pressured
- 18.7% experienced encouragement to do unethical or illegal behavior
- 13–15% were exposed to messages promoting self-harm or suicide.
Younger teens (age 13) and males reported higher rates of these negative experiences.
Realistic Strategies for Parents: Share these findings with young people. Ask about their experiences with Conversational AI and whether they have peers who might be using CAI as well.
- Discuss AI Boundaries: Explain that AI Companions are algorithms, not friends. Help your teen understand that AI can be dishonest (12.1% of users experienced this), manipulative (23.1%), or biased (9%).
- Monitor Personal Data: Since 32.3% of users were asked for uncomfortable personal details, set clear rules against sharing names, addresses, or secrets with AI. Help kids understand that AI companies should not be given access to that personal information.
- Open Dialogue on Mental Health: If your teen turns to AI for emotional support (49.2% of users), ensure they know that AI-generated advice can be inaccurate or harmful.
- Jailbreaks to Bypass Safety Filters: Be aware that teens may use misguided role-play scenario prompts to bypass safety filters and access “unethical or illegal” content, a behavior reported by 18.7% of users).