08/10/2025
Parents, we need to talk!
As we trying our best to keep our kids and teens from screen addiction and social media overuse, a whole new problem is brewing in the background. Chatbots, AI systems that generate human-like conversation are entering your child's live in a very dangerous way. Scientific American writes: "The language that AI companions use, the responses they make, and the empathy they exude can make a user feel as though they truly understand and sympathize. These chatbots can make someone feel liked or even loved. They are programmed to help users feel like they’ve made a real connection. And as adolescents have a naturally developing fascination with romance and sexuality, if you feel ignored by the girls in your high school, well, now, on the nearest screen is a hot girlfriend who is constantly fascinated by you and your video games, or a super cute boyfriend whom you never had to engage in small talk with to form a bond."
This is a very dangerous new technology and I encourage every parent to pay very close attention to this development. Especially if you have a vulnerable child (e.g. a child/teen with social anxiety)!
Stay tuned for training opportunities in the our new clinic (https://drcatrinrode.com/) where you can learn strategies to address this new risk.