A new report by child-safety charity Internet Matters has uncovered a dramatic rise in the number of children turning to AI chatbots for help, information and even companionship. While these tools are increasingly woven into the digital fabric of young people’s lives, the findings raise serious questions about safeguarding, emotional wellbeing and the readiness of families and schools to manage this shift.
AI as a New “Go-To” Companion
For many children, AI chatbots have quickly become a first stop for answers — whether for homework support, settling arguments, or satisfying curiosity. More strikingly, a significant proportion of young users are now seeking emotional reassurance and personal advice from chatbots, treating them not just as tools but as conversational partners.
Some children report using AI to talk about feelings they don’t feel able to share with adults. Others describe chatbots as comforting, non-judgemental or even “friendly”, revealing how easily technology can fill gaps in confidence, privacy or emotional support.
The Benefits — and Where They Fall Short
There are positive aspects. AI tools can help children learn independently, access quick explanations, revise more effectively and feel supported when adults are not immediately available. For some, especially neurodivergent young people, chatbots may offer a calm, predictable communication style that feels easier to engage with.
However, the report highlights several risks that cannot be overlooked:
1. Accuracy and Misinformation
Chatbots often provide incomplete, contradictory or entirely incorrect information. Many children accept these answers at face value, which can weaken critical-thinking skills and lead to misunderstanding in school and everyday life.
2. Emotional Dependence
Some children develop unhealthy reliance on chatbot interactions, using them as substitutes for real friendships or support networks. This can limit opportunities to build resilience and develop interpersonal skills.
3. Inappropriate or Unsafe Responses
Most AI tools are not designed specifically for children, meaning they may generate biased, harmful, insensitive or age-inappropriate content. Younger users are not always equipped to recognise or challenge problematic output.
4. Lack of Transparency
Children rarely understand how AI works — including the fact that it can make mistakes or present information with no real-world understanding behind it.
A Safeguarding Challenge for Parents and Schools
The report emphasises a widening gap between children’s daily digital behaviour and the adults responsible for guiding them. Many parents underestimate how often their children use AI, while teachers are still developing strategies for integrating AI literacy into classrooms.
The rapid rise of generative AI has outpaced traditional online-safety frameworks. While the technology is now deeply accessible, protections designed specifically for younger users remain limited. Experts warn that without proactive guidance, children risk becoming dependent on systems that are not built with their developmental needs in mind.
Designing AI That Works for Children
Researchers and policy specialists argue that children-focused AI principles should now be a priority. These include:
- Built-in age-appropriate safeguards
- Clear explanations about how AI works and its limitations
- Guidance tools that encourage critical thinking
- Emotional-safety features that prevent over-reliance
- Stronger oversight to prevent harmful or manipulative content
There is also growing demand for regulation that ensures AI systems used by children meet minimum safety and transparency standards.
A Turning Point in Children’s Digital Lives
The findings serve as a wake-up call. Children are forming relationships — emotional as well as informational — with technology that is not designed to guide or protect them. The challenge going forward is not to restrict children from using AI, but to ensure they learn to use it safely, critically and with healthy boundaries.
AI can be a powerful learning tool, but it cannot replace trusted adults, emotional connection or real-life social development. As chatbots become embedded in daily life, helping children navigate this new digital reality will be essential to safeguarding their wellbeing now and in the future.