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06.26.2025
Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) a Friend or a Risk? What Adults and Kids Should Know
Mary K. Alvord, PhD
In Conversation with ADAA
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June 26, 2025
Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) a Friend or a Risk? What Adults and Kids Should Know
Discussion with: Mary K. Alvord, PhD
You’ve probably heard of Artificial Intelligence, or AI - those smart computers and chatbots that can talk, answer questions, and even give advice. Some people think AI is amazing, while others worry it can be harmful. The truth is, AI isn’t all good or all bad. It’s a powerful tool, but like social media, it comes with risks too.
AI is becoming a big part of everyday life, and young people are using it more than ever. That’s not surprising, but what really matters is how it might affect kids and teens.
A recent health advisory from the American Psychological Association (APA) about how AI is being used more and more by kids and teens says we all need to pay attention. Parents, teachers, policy makers, and community and tech leaders must work together to protect young people from possible dangers, like manipulation, unfair treatment, and harmful content. We need to stay alert and make sure AI helps - not hurts - the mental health of our youth.
ADAA member Mary Alvord, PhD, a child psychologist, believes it's important for kids and teens to understand how AI works. It can be helpful, but it can also cause problems, especially when it takes the place of real-life friendships.
Some teens are starting to form close bonds with AI chatbots, almost like they’re real friends. This worries Dr. Alvord because it could keep teens from learning important social skills and connecting with real people.
“It’s easy for teens to mistake a chatbot’s programmed responses for real empathy,” Dr. Alvord says. “But no matter how friendly or helpful AI seems, it can’t replace a human relationship. Parents play a key role in helping teens tell the difference.”
With support from parents, teachers, and the community, teens can learn to use AI in safe and healthy ways—without confusing a chatbot with a real friend. Adults play a big part in helping kids build real-world relationships that truly matter.
Here are 5 key tips for adults:
- Set boundaries: Talk to kids about the difference between real and fake friendships. AI might seem helpful, but it can’t replace real people.
- Use privacy settings: Make sure safety settings are turned on to protect kids from talking to strangers or seeing harmful stuff.
- Use AI for learning: AI can be great for writing ideas or helping with school but you need to teach kids to ask questions and not believe everything AI says.
- Watch out for bad info: Help kids spot fake or hurtful content, and demand that AI companies build in safety tools.
- Protect private info: Don’t let AI collect and sell kids’ personal details. Adults should learn how to protect this data.
When it comes to teen mental health, adults need to stay involved. That means being curious, caring, and always ready to talk and listen. AI is a powerful tool, and now is the time to teach kids how to use it in a safe and smart way.
Adults should also lead by example, using AI carefully and showing kids what thoughtful use looks like.
“Whether parents or teachers, adults need to interact with teens to discuss digital and AI literacy,” Dr. Alvord told ADAA. “Just because AI provides information, it doesn’t mean it is always accurate or current, and a chatbot may simulate a human, but it is not human.”
By staying connected and keeping the conversation going, we can help teens use technology in healthy ways - and protect their mental health too.
Mary K. Alvord, PhD
In Conversation with ADAA
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