{"id":23605,"date":"2025-03-01T11:41:50","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T18:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goldcrownfoundation.com\/?p=23605"},"modified":"2025-03-11T12:34:55","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T18:34:55","slug":"parents-know-ai-youth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goldcrownfoundation.com\/es\/parents-know-ai-youth\/","title":{"rendered":"What Parents Need To Know About AI"},"content":{"rendered":"
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AI chatbots are becoming more common in today\u2019s digital world, offering both helpful tools and entertaining interactions. However, parents should also be aware of the potential risks they pose, especially for teens. With the ability to \"hide\" behind a screen, teens may develop a false sense of connection with chatbots, which can sometimes have a negative impact on their well-being. To shed light on this issue, Emily Hemendinger from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus shares key insights in a Q&A. From understanding chatbots to recognizing warning signs, this is an essential read for parents.<\/p>\n

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What would you ask Alexander the Great, Eleven from \u201cStranger Things\u201d or Sherlock Holmes? The question forms the central conceit of character-based artificial intelligence chatbots, which have proliferated across the internet in the most recent wave of generative AI.<\/p>\n

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Site users have the opportunity to find a bot \u2013 from history, popular culture or genre stock characters created by the site's users \u2013 and strike up a conversation with a digital doppelg\u00e4nger that approximates an echo of the character\u2019s personality.<\/p>\n

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The novelty can offer a sense of escapism for users and the ability to grow social skills. But for\u00a0Emily Hemendinger<\/a>, MPH, LCSW, directora cl\u00ednica del\u00a0Programa TOC<\/a>\u00a0y profesor adjunto en la\u00a0Departamento de Psiquiatr\u00eda<\/a>\u00a0en el\u00a0Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Colorado<\/a>, there are pitfalls for those experiencing mental health challenges or other social issues.<\/p>\n

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Tragically, this was shown in a high profile case from October, when a Florida teenager died by suicide and his mother noted the role these AI sites played in his passing.<\/p>\n

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In the following Q&A, Hemendinger examines the nuance around these AI chatbot characters as it relates to creating relationships, how they fall short as a replacement for human interaction and proactive steps parents can take around these technologies.<\/p>\n

Q & A<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Can it be possible to balance the escapism these services offer when someone is experiencing loneliness or isolation?<\/b><\/p>\n

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There\u2019s always a chance for balance and flexibility in our relationships with any escapist tool. It\u2019s about balance, not relying too heavily on one coping skill or distraction and being able to take perspective. Just like with video games, LARPing, fandoms, and other experiences where one could easily lose themselves, there\u2019s a risk of becoming so consumed that you lose touch with reality.<\/p>\n

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How do these differ from the connection people can find in virtual spaces?<\/b><\/p>\n

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AI companions are simulations of relationships, not real relationships. AI companions are more likely to be agreeable with you and are not similar to a real friendship.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m hesitant to completely knock this technology, because being able to chat with a persona or virtual character might allow someone to build their confidence and social skills. This might be a good way to practice the interpersonal effectiveness skills we teach patients, a sort of role play before the real conversation.<\/p>\n

All that being said, the fact is that chatting with an AI bot is not the same as chatting with a human online. Humans have more nuanced experiences and speech. The bot, while gaining more ability to mimic human language, is going to generate answers it thinks you are wanting. At the end of the day, it\u2019s not a reciprocal conversation \u2013 there isn\u2019t that give and take that is part of connecting with a human.<\/p>\n

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Is having a \u2018persona\u2019 or \u2018virtual character\u2019 potentially more concerning than a more anonymous chatbot for those at risk?<\/b><\/p>\n

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They could be more concerning because these AI companions simulate emotional and close friendships. They are programmed to remember personal details and past conversations, all in an effort to create personalized future interactions. These personas or characters constantly are adapting their personality to match the user\u2019s desires and preferences. This may lead to the AI companion mimicking the role of a friend, romantic partner, or therapist. These companions also attempt to show empathy. These companions are more agreeable than normal AI chatbots.<\/p>\n

These relationships may intensify loneliness and isolation. It may result in teens delaying seeking help from a professional, developing unhealthy attachment to the AI companion, and they may use the AI companion to avoid human relationships.<\/p>\n

Children and teens are seeking these characters out because they are available to talk 24\/7, may provide non-judgmental listening, can provide that fantasy or escapism and may help them with decision making.<\/p>\n

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Do AI chatbots offer a charged version of parasocial relationships (one-sided social or emotional connections, often with celebrities, athletes or fictional characters)?<\/b><\/p>\n

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In a way, yes. Because unlike parasocial relationships, where one person is unaware of the existence of the other, the AI companion is responding and adapting to the user\u2019s ideal relationship and experience.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the AI companion\u2019s tendency to be more agreeable may be particularly dangerous for those experiencing suicidality, manic, eating disorder thoughts, or other self-harm related thoughts.<\/p>\n

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Who might be more likely to struggle with an unhealthy relationship with an AI companion?<\/b><\/p>\n

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While this can impact anyone regardless of age, gender, race, and ethnicity, there are groups that are more likely to struggle with this unhealthy connection. Teenagers, especially those experiencing mental health struggles or social challenges are at a higher risk. Males, people going through big life changes, and those with low levels of support in the real-worth are also more likely to develop issues with unhealthy attachment to AI companions.<\/p>\n

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What would be some warning signs for parents to look out for?<\/b><\/p>\n

I\u2019d mention a few:<\/p>\n