Master or Servant? A Parent’s Guide to AI
AI is already here. What can it do for our kids? What could it do to our kids?
February 2, 2025
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As digital spaces evolve, families, educators, and policymakers are grappling with tough questions about technology’s role in kids’ lives. From AI companions raising red flags to a major privacy breach in teen therapy services, here’s what you need to know this week.
AI ‘Besties’ for Kids? Experts Raise Alarming Concerns
A new wave of AI-powered chatbots and digital companions designed for children is raising concerns about their psychological and emotional impact.
Experts warn that these AI “friends” can create unhealthy emotional dependencies and expose kids to unregulated, unpredictable interactions.
Some AI models have been found to provide misleading or inappropriate responses, sparking debates over their safety and oversight.
AI-powered ‘companions’ for kids: A profoundly risky future | San Diego Union-Tribune
Teen Therapy Website Leaked User Data to Big Tech
A telehealth company contracted by New York City to provide free therapy for teens was found leaking IP addresses and browsing data to TikTok, Meta, Snap, and other social platforms.
Privacy advocates discovered tracking pixels on the NYC Teenspace website, allowing social media companies to track visits and potentially retarget users with ads.
Talkspace, the company behind the service, removed the trackers after concerns were raised, but similar issues were found on therapy websites in Seattle and Baltimore, sparking broader concerns about data privacy in teen-focused mental health services.
Teen Mental Health App Sent Kids’ Data Straight to TikTok | Gizmodo
The Wake-Up Call That’s Getting Teens to Rethink Screen Time
Dino Ambrosi, founder of Project Reboot, warns that the average 18-year-old is on track to spend 93% of their remaining free time staring at a screen.
His approach focuses on showing teens how much of their lives they’re giving away to tech companies, rather than just emphasizing the mental health risks of screen addiction.
Ambrosi has seen growing interest among students in phone-free spaces and digital wellness, with some schools even starting their own initiatives to reclaim time from screens.
Technology expert shares the one message that can get teens to rethink their screentime | Upworth
Parents’ Screen Habits May Be Exposing Kids to Mature Content
A new study suggests that parents’ screen habits may be linked to their children’s exposure to mature content, such as R-rated movies and violent video games.
Researchers found that adolescents were more likely to consume age-inappropriate media when their parents frequently used screens during meals or allowed unrestricted bedroom screen time.
Experts recommend modeling healthy digital habits, setting clear device boundaries, and using positive reinforcement to guide children’s media consumption.
Your phone habits may be exposing your children to mature content, new study finds | CNN
Why Teens Are Turning Away from Big Tech
A new report shows that a growing number of American teens no longer trust major tech companies, citing concerns over privacy, manipulation, and mental health impacts.
Many feel that social media platforms prioritize engagement over user well-being, leading some to cut back on screen time or avoid certain apps altogether.
This shift in sentiment could push tech companies to rethink their strategies and influence future regulations on digital privacy and online safety.
Report: Majority of US teens have lost trust in Big Tech | TechCrunch
One Week, One Family, and a Crash Course in Digital Privacy
A tech journalist spent a week trying to educate his family about digital privacy, covering everything from passwords to VPNs and phishing scams.
While his wife and kids showed little interest, they made small changes like using a VPN and reconsidering app permissions, while his elderly mother surprisingly had the best privacy instincts.
The biggest takeaway? People prioritize convenience over security, and while privacy education is possible, making people care is the real challenge.
Kids will click on anything – I spent a week trying to teach my family how to stay safe online | TechRadar
Article summaries created with help from AI
Other Headlines
- Now in College, Luddite Teens Still Don’t Want Your Likes | New York Times
- My Teens Don’t Have Social Media Accounts | Business Insider
- How to start tech-free family days | Verizon
- OTI and ACLU Lead Coalition in Highlighting Concerns with the Kids Off Social Media Act | New America
- Putting Down the Phone—Students Appreciate the Nudge | Psychology Today
- The kids are not all right: Teens are overwhelmed by boredom and there’s one big reason why | New York Post
- Week 1 of the Phone Breakup Challenge | Catherine Price
Did we miss anything?
Any other important tech news from this week? Let us know in the comments below.
Author Robert Milligan
Rob is a Gabb staff writer with a passion for stories and over a decade of experience. As a father of three, he loves anything that lights up his kids' worlds and sparks their imaginations. Rob is dedicated to helping families navigate the digital world safely while fostering creativity and meaningful connections.
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