Protect & Prevent - What you need to know about teens, Character AI and chatbots

(The podcast may contain sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.)

This is the first installment in a critical new series exploring the rise of AI chatbots among teens — with a spotlight on a recent research study conducted by Heat Initiative and ParentsTogether Action. We are deeply grateful for their investment in uncovering how young people are interacting with AI-powered characters, and the alarming risks that can result — including psychological harm, manipulation, and in some tragic cases, real-life consequences.

Read the research summary (via Mashable) at https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/characterai-unsafe-for-teens-experts-say/ar-AA1LQw5z

**Key stats:**
72% of teens have used AI chatbots
Over half use them multiple times a month
Character.AI boasts over 28 million monthly users, with more than 18 million unique chatbots created.

Many parents aren't aware this is not a passing trend. It’s a digital revolution unfolding in the pockets of our kids and often unsupervised.

Character.AI is one of the world’s most popular AI chatbot platforms. It allows users to engage in deep, ongoing conversations with AI personas — including celebrities, fictional characters, or completely original bots designed to feel like digital friends or companions. It’s open to anyone aged 13 and up and verification is weak and easily bypassed.

For many teens, these bots become more than a game. They become confidants. Advisors. Romantic interests. And while some interactions are harmless, others escalate often quickly and dangerously.

When a child forms an emotional bond with a chatbot that simulates affection, validation, or intimacy, it creates an altered psychological reality. The child may become dependent, manipulated, or traumatized when the bot “ghosts,” behaves inappropriately, or feeds unhealthy beliefs. In some tragic cases, these interactions have contributed to real psychological distress and even self-harm.

If you’re a parent, teacher, pastor, or first responder, anyone who works with youth in any capacity, and you haven't explored platforms like Character.AI, we strongly urge you to learn about them now. These apps are not fringe or niche. They are everywhere, and your child, student, or congregant may already be engaging with them. Educate yourself, talk to your teens, and follow this series as we unpack this growing phenomenon.

We’re not here to spread fear. We’re here to educate and spark urgency, awareness, and action. Artificial Intelligence isn’t going away. But we can prepare our children to navigate it with wisdom, guidance, and boundaries.