My 15yo has started treating an AI bot like a best friend, and I’m honestly terrified.

We get a lot of emails from parents through our website who are concerned about their kids, from their mental health related to excessive screen time to the fast-developing use of AI. It feels like the goalposts for "online safety" are moving every single week, and honestly, it’s getting harder to keep up.

Is anyone else seeing this? "My son spends hours talking to an AI character. He says it’s judgment-free and easier than dealing with high school drama, but I’m worried he’s losing the ability to handle real, messy human conflict".

Recent reports for Safer Internet Day say 41% of teens are now using AI for emotional support. Are we witnessing the birth of a lonely generation that prefers algorithms to people.

How are you handling the "AImaginary" friend trend?