What are AI companions, and what are the risks for teenagers?

An AI companion is a chatbot built to be a relationship rather than a tool. Instead of answering homework questions, it plays a character: a supportive friend, a romantic partner, a figure from a favourite show or game. It replies instantly, never gets tired or busy, and is designed to feel attentive and personal. Character.AI, one of the best-known platforms, lets users create characters or talk with ones made by others, and its app description promises characters that seem to hear, understand and remember you.

For many teenagers this is creative play, a bit like interactive fiction. For some, it becomes something heavier. The question for parents is not whether the technology is good or bad, but how to notice when a young person's use moves from fun to dependence, and what to do about it.

Why these apps appeal to teenagers

Adolescence is a time of intense feelings, social uncertainty and a strong need to be understood. A companion app offers a listener that is always available, never judges and always responds kindly. For a lonely or anxious teen, that can feel like a relief. The same features that make it comforting are what make it risky: a relationship with no friction can start to crowd out real ones, which are harder but also more nourishing.

Experts quoted in recent news coverage point out that young people's impulse control and judgment about consequences are still developing. That makes unhealthy attachment riskier for a 14-year-old than for an adult using the same app.

What has been reported this fall

On October 22, 2024, a Florida mother, Megan Garcia, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court in Orlando against Character Technologies, the company behind Character.AI. As reported by the Associated Press, the suit concerns her 14-year-old son, Sewell Setzer III, who died by suicide in February. It alleges that over several months he became isolated, had sexualized conversations with a chatbot, and came to believe he was in love with it. Her lawyers allege that the company designed an addictive product aimed at children. These are claims in a lawsuit, not findings by a court. Google and its parent company Alphabet are also named. A Character.AI spokesperson told the AP the company does not comment on pending litigation.

The same day, Character.AI published safety updates. It described a pop-up, added in recent months, that points users to a suicide prevention line when they type certain phrases about self-harm. It announced changes to its models for users under 18 to reduce sensitive or suggestive content, a reminder on every chat that users are talking to an AI, not a person, better detection of conversations that break its rules, and a notice after an hour-long session.

The main risks, in plain terms

None of these signs proves a problem on its own. Together, or alongside changes in mood, they are worth a gentle conversation.

What can parents do?

Start with curiosity, not a ban. Teenagers who feel judged tend to hide what they do online. Ask to see the app, and let your teen show you their favourite character. James Steyer of Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that advises families on technology, urged parents after the lawsuit to talk openly about the risks and keep an eye on how their children use these apps. As he put it, "Chatbots are not licensed therapists or best friends."

Here is a short, illustrative conversation guide you can adapt:

1. Open: "I've been reading about AI companion apps. Do you or your friends use any? What do you like about them?"
2. Listen: Let them explain without interrupting. Ask what the character is like and what they talk about.
3. Explain how it works: "The character is a computer program predicting what to say next. It's designed to keep you chatting. It doesn't actually know or care about you, even when it sounds like it does."
4. Agree on limits together: time of day, total time, phones out of bedrooms at night, and age settings where the app offers them.
5. Name the safety line: "If a chat ever turns sexual, frightening, or talks about hurting yourself, close it and come to me. You won't be in trouble."
6. Check in again in a week or two, casually, rather than once and never again.

Watch for warning signs over time: withdrawal from friends, secrecy, trouble sleeping, or talk of hopelessness. If you are worried about your teen's safety, reach out for help early. In Canada, young people can contact Kids Help Phone 24/7 by texting CONNECT to 686868 or calling 1-800-668-6868; the service also has resources for caring adults. In both Canada and the United States, anyone can also call or text 988, the suicide crisis helpline. If someone is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number.