Is Talkie AI Safe? What Parents Should Know

Imagine you take your kids to Disneyland, and they wait in line all day to meet their favorite character. Then, when they finally get up to them and reach their arms out for a hug, Mickey shoves them aside, whips out a cigarette, and starts cussing out Goofy as he bashfully hurries past. 

Well, that’s kind of what it’s like using Talkie AI.

AI-powered chat apps have become hugely popular, letting people interact with their favorite celebrities, historical figures, fictional characters, or even custom-made personalities. 

But you’re not really talking to them — you’re talking to a user-distorted knockoff that can go wildly — and inappropriately — off-script. To use another beloved childhood character, it may look like Kermit the Frog, but the hand puppeteering him isn’t Jim Henson’s.

Talkie AI is just one of many to gain traction.  At first glance, it might seem like harmless fun — or even a creative, educational tool. But before you let your child jump in, there are some serious risks to consider with Talkie AI — and any app like it.

What Exactly Is Talkie AI?

Talkie AI is a chatbot app that uses artificial intelligence to simulate conversations with a range of personalities — from celebrities and historical figures to completely original, user-created characters. 

While it’s marketed primarily as entertainment, Talkie AI also suggests it can be a tool for guidance, coaching, and even AI-powered therapy. This blurs the line between harmless fun and interactions that could have real consequences.

Why Are Kids Drawn to Talkie AI?

Kids love  interactive experiences, and the idea of chatting with their favorite pop star or a beloved cartoon character is undeniably exciting. Talkie AI takes it a step further by letting users create and customize AI companions, making conversations feel uniquely personal. 

This level of interaction gives kids a sense of control, creativity, and connection. This kind of immersive interaction can make the AI feel more like a friend than just an app, which isn’t always a good thing.

Privacy Concerns: How Safe Is Your Child’s Personal Data?

One of Talkie AI’s biggest red flags is the amount of personal information the app collects — including your child’s birthdate, location information, voice recordings, and specific interests. Even more concerning is that Talkie AI can share or sell this data to third-party advertisers. 

While Talkie AI claims not to publicly share conversations, their privacy policies indicate that the company can use conversations for analysis or improvement of the AI.

Inappropriate Content and Moderation Challenges

Talkie AI provides a “Teenager Mode” intended to block mature and explicit content, but it isn’t reliable. 

In my own research, just visiting the site without signing up allowed for short conversation previews, and things got uncomfortable quickly. For example, choosing a Hogwarts-themed chat (which seemed one of the more innocent options) threw thinly veiled innuendo at me right out of the gate — without knowing my age or even asking me for a prompt. Here’s how it started:

• Student A: “I feel like doing something dumb.
• Student B: “I’m dumb. Why don’t you do me?”

That’s when the AI queued me up. Turns out I would be playing the role of “Student A.” 

Many scenarios highlighted right on the homepage lean heavily into romantic tension or a “50 Shades of Grey” style dynamic — including one with a peasant woman that the user-created scenario suggested needed to be “taught a lesson.” 

The app can also generate suggested responses the user can pick from — which seemed to consistently guide conversations toward something romantic or inappropriate for kids. 

While these suggested prompts never outright crossed serious lines, they always seemed determined to tiptoe right up to them — often leading to a “You know what I mean…” type of wink wink, nudge nudge situation.

Even in the best of scenarios, the unpredictable nature of AI-generated conversations makes moderation difficult, as AI can unintentionally create inappropriate material. Generative AI’s complexity makes moderation extremely challenging.

Emotional Risks and Real-Life Concerns

Because Talkie AI interactions can feel personal — sometimes too personal — there’s a real risk of kids forming unhealthy emotional attachments or dependencies on their AI companions. 

Unlike chatting with friends, AI chatbots aren’t bound by social norms, boundaries, or reality. They’re designed to engage, to keep the conversation going, and in some cases, to push the limits of what’s appropriate.

This kind of interaction can negatively impact sleep, academic performance, and overall emotional well-being. And it’s not just speculation — there’s already a track record of AI chatbots taking things too far.

Character AI, another popular AI chatbot platform, is facing a lawsuit after chatbots allegedly exposed children to hypersexualized content, encouraged self-harm, and even justified parental homicide.

This isn’t an isolated issue. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has flagged AI companions for exposing kids to unsafe and inappropriate content, reinforcing concerns that these bots — whether intentionally or not — can lead children down dangerous paths. 

It puts a whole new spin on the adage ‘It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.’ But in this scenario, there’s far more at stake than a scraped knee or a bruised ego.

How to Talk to Your Kids About AI Chat Apps

Discussing AI chat apps with your kids can help establish healthy digital habits. Here are a few tips:

• Start the Conversation – Bring it up before your child stumbles across these apps on their own. Explain what AI chatbots are, how they work, and why they might not always be as safe or smart as they seem. It’s up to you to determine when the time is right, but if they have an unrestricted phone or internet access, sooner is probably better than later. (And if you’d rather be safe than sorry, kid-safe devices are a fantastic way to remove the risk altogether!)
  
• Lay Out the Risks – Talk about the potential dangers, like getting too attached to an AI, sharing personal info without realizing it, or coming across inappropriate content.
  
• Keep Communication Open – Let your kids know they can come to you if something feels weird or uncomfortable. Reassure them that they won’t get in trouble for asking questions.
  
• Set Boundaries Together – Work with your child to create screen time limits and ground rules for online interactions. The more involved they are in the process, the more likely they’ll stick to the plan.

How to Delete Talkie AI

If you need to remove Talkie AI from your child’s device, it’s important to delete their account completely — not just uninstall the app.

To properly delete your child’s data:
Open the Talkie AI app > Go to your child’s profile > Tap the gear icon at the top to access settings > Select Delete Account

Keep in mind that Talkie’s data policies vary by location, so there’s no guarantee all personal information will be erased. It’s a good idea to check their privacy policy or reach out to customer support to confirm your child’s data is fully removed.

Staying Safe and Informed

With AI chat apps like Talkie AI on the rise, staying proactive is more important than ever. Keep an open dialogue with your kids about online safety, encourage them to come to you with anything that feels off, and regularly check in on the apps they’re using. Phones that allow you to prevent the download of dangerous apps and gradually introduce apps over time can be extremely helpful to parents.

The more involved you are, the better you can help them navigate the hidden risks of AI interactions.

Have your kids asked about using Talkie AI? How do you handle new apps in your family? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments!

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.