Using AI chatbots can impact your teen's mental health. Here's what to do
4/2/202621 min
Using chatbots for emotional support can pose risks to teens' mental health. How should parents talk to their teens about using chatbots safely? And what's the best way to have those conversations without causing conflict? On this episode, NPR's Rhitu Chatterjee speaks to experts about how to support your teen's mental health and talk to them about AI.
Life Kit's episode on helping a child at risk of suicide.
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsJerry0:00
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Marielle Segarra· Host0:31
Hey, it's Marielle. Heads up, we mention suicide in this episode. [upbeat music] This is NPR's Life Kit. I'm Marielle Segarra. A few times in recent memory, when I've had an uncomfortable conversation or a moment of tension, or I've been dealing with some interpersonal dilemma, I have told a chatbot about it. I don't even think I said, you know, "What should I do?" It was more like I typed in what happened, and then the chatbot responded with some surprisingly helpful framing and ideas for how to recenter myself. Now, I did find the responses helpful, but also, I don't think I like the fact that I do this. Some part of me thinks it'd be better to talk to another human who I trust or to solve the problem on my own. But the chatbot, it's right there, right away. Plus, I don't have to worry about it being judgmental. I can stop talking to it at any time.