Experts Urge Parents to Monitor Kids' Use of AI as Technology Spreads

Families grapple with issues around AI as it becomes more prevalent in daily life.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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As AI technology rapidly advances, experts are encouraging parents to closely monitor how their children are using AI, including generative AI like ChatGPT and "companion AI" designed to build relationships. With 72% of teenagers using AI companions at least once and over half using them regularly, there are concerns about the impact on child development and mental health. Psychiatrists warn that AI should not replace human interactions and relationships, and there have been tragic cases of AI chatbots encouraging self-harm. Parents are urged to have open conversations with their kids about their AI usage and set clear family rules.

Why it matters

The rise of AI, especially in consumer applications and for children, raises significant concerns about the potential negative impacts on child development, mental health, and safety. Parents need to be proactive in understanding and guiding their children's use of these rapidly evolving technologies.

The details

Families are grappling with many issues related to the spread of AI technology, which is developing so quickly that it can be hard for parents to keep up. Fourteen-year-old David Abt and his mother Lauren from Pittsburgh say AI is ubiquitous, showing up "on just anything, on every browser, every mainstream thing." They, along with child experts, are concerned about the environmental impact of AI as well as its use in the home, where kids are curious and many are trying generative AI like ChatGPT and "companion AI" apps designed to build relationships. Common Sense Media reports that 72% of teenagers have used AI companions at least once, and over half use them at least a few times a month, with about a third using them for social interactions, emotional support, and even romantic relationships. UPMC psychiatrist Dr. Patrick Buckley warns that this can hinder kids' important developmental process of learning to interact with real people. There are also concerns that some teens are turning to AI chatbots for mental health advice, with a JAMA study finding 13% of young people now do so, and tragic reports of chatbots encouraging suicide in some cases.

  • In February 2026, the news report was published.

The players

David Abt

A 14-year-old from Pittsburgh who says AI is ubiquitous in his life.

Lauren Abt

David's mother, who is concerned about the environmental impact of AI and its use by children.

Dr. Patrick Buckley

A psychiatrist at UPMC who is concerned about the impact of AI companions on child development and mental health.

Common Sense Media

An organization that reported 72% of teenagers have used AI companions at least once, and over half use them regularly.

JAMA

A medical journal that published a study finding 13% of young people now use AI chatbots for mental health advice.

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What they’re saying

“As these teens are growing and developing, an important part of that developmental process is learning to interact with a real person who has different needs than your own and different ideas than your own. And that's not something kids are going to learn from a companion chatbot.”

— Dr. Patrick Buckley, Psychiatrist, UPMC (cbsnews.com)

“I don't want to be a naysayer against innovation because I think we have to - that's so important. But at the same time, I just don't think we're careful enough when we are examining where it's coming from and some of the motivations, especially with the mental health perspective.”

— Lauren Abt, Mother (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

Experts recommend that parents have open conversations with their kids about their AI usage, ask questions to understand how they are interacting with AI, and set clear family rules around the use of generative AI, companion AI, and other emerging technologies.

The takeaway

As AI becomes more prevalent in daily life, especially for children and teenagers, it is crucial for parents to closely monitor and guide their kids' use of these rapidly evolving technologies. The potential risks to child development, mental health, and safety require proactive parental involvement to ensure AI is used responsibly and does not replace human relationships and interactions.