Four ways parents can help teens use AI safely

Your teenager is already using artificial intelligence daily—often without even realizing it. Unlike social media, where teens know they’re talking to people, AI works invisibly through predictive text, chatbots, and personalized recommendations, shaping their experiences in ways teenagers don’t recognize.

APA’s health advisory, “Artificial Intelligence and Adolescent Well-being,” reveals both promising opportunities and important challenges with AI technology for teens. With adolescence (ages 10–25) constituting a critical period of brain development, understanding how to navigate AI thoughtfully can help maximize benefits while avoiding potential pitfalls.

“Like social media, AI is neither inherently good nor bad,” says APA Chief of Psychology Mitch Prinstein, PhD. “But we have already seen instances where adolescents developed unhealthy ‘relationships’ with chatbots. Some adolescents may not even know they are interacting with AI, which is why it is crucial that developers put guardrails in place now.”

Psychology shows adolescents are less likely than adults to question chatbot responses and may struggle to distinguish programmed empathy from genuine understanding. Early research indicates some teens are developing strong attachments to AI companions, which can interfere with learning real-world social skills, says clinical psychologist Mary Alvord, PhD, founder of Alvord, Baker & Associates, LLC, and a member of the health advisory’s expert panel.

“It’s easy for teens to mistake a chatbot’s programmed responses for real empathy,” Alvord notes. “But no matter how friendly or helpful AI seems, it can’t replace the emotional depth of a human relationship. Parents can play a key role in helping teens tell the difference—and in encouraging real-world connections.”

What parents can do: Ask your teen to show you AI tools they’re using. Help them understand that these provide programmed responses, not genuine relationships. Encourage face-to-face interactions and ensure AI supplements rather than replaces human connection.

When teens seek health information online, which data show they frequently do, AI can produce inaccurate information that seems authoritative. This polished presentation can make false or controversial health information particularly convincing, potentially leading to impulsive decisions or delayed treatment, says Linda Charmaraman, PhD, founder/director of the Youth, Media, & Wellbeing research lab at the Wellesley Centers for Women and another member of the health advisory’s expert panel.

“Teens may be seeking out a clear cut, universal answer when there is so much in the gray zone,” Charmaraman says. “Teens are still learning how to weigh credibility, and AI can blur those lines by sounding confident and reliable. Parents can help by encouraging curiosity: ‘Who’s behind this advice?’ or ‘Is this information relevant to teens like me?’ are great questions to ask together.”

What parents can do: Remind your teen that AI health information should never substitute for professional medical advice. Encourage them to verify health information with you, a health care provider, mental health professional, or another trusted adult before acting on it.

AI systems collect extensive personal information from teens—including behavioral patterns and preferences—often using it for targeted advertising or sharing with third parties. Teens may not realize how their data is being used or how AI can sometimes perpetuate biases, notes Jessica Hamilton, PhD, assistant psychology professor at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and another member of the health advisory’s expert panel.

“Most teens don’t realize how much of their personal data is being tracked—and how that information can be used to influence what they see, buy, or even how they feel,” Hamilton says. “Parents don’t need to be tech experts, but they can help their kids ask smart questions about the apps they use and who’s benefiting from their data.”

What parents can do: Review privacy settings together on devices and apps. Look for AI-powered features and understand what data is collected. Choose platforms with strong privacy protections and help your teen understand how their data might be used.

AI offers genuine educational benefits when used thoughtfully. It can assist with brainstorming, organizing information, and providing personalized feedback. Your goal is to help students use AI to enhance their learning while still developing their own analytical abilities. However, it’s crucial that students don’t become overly dependent on AI, which could impede development of their own knowledge and skills. The goal should be using AI tools to supplement, not replace, traditional learning approaches.

What parents can do: Encourage your teen to actively question AI-generated content rather than accepting it at face value. Help them understand AI’s limitations and ensure they’re building their own problem-solving skills alongside using these tools.

Ask your teen to show you the AI tools they’re using. Stay curious about their experiences. Model thoughtful AI use when you encounter it yourself.

“We have an opportunity to get AI right for young people in ways we didn’t with social media,” Prinstein notes. “By understanding both the benefits and risks now, parents can help their teens navigate this technology safely while maximizing its positive potential.”