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\nTeens are turning to AI chatbots for advice and support, sometimes before they turn to their parents.<\/p>\n
\nTeens are turning to AI chatbots for advice and support, sometimes before they turn to their parents.<\/p>\n
New guidance urges families to stay aware and stay talking.<\/p>\n
The American Psychological Association said chatbots feel private and nonjudgmental, a big draw for teens.<\/p>\n
But experts warn that can become a problem if AI begins to replace real human interaction with friends and family, which is critical for development.<\/p>\n
In some cases, teens are even using it for mental health advice that should come from a trained professional.<\/p>\n
Dr. Katy Hopkins, a Norton Children\u2019s Psychologist, said AI is not going away. She said it isn’t good or bad on its own but what matters is how teens are using it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think doing your best to have open conversations allows you to collaborate with your teen to figure out how they\u2019re using it so that you can learn from them, and then also figure out how to have conversations about areas of concern.\u201d Dr. Hopkins said.<\/p>\n
Hopkins said keeping those conversations open helps parents catch red flags early and guides teens toward healthier, real-life support.<\/p>\n
If your child seems to be struggling or their mood or behavior shifts, she urges families to seek professional help.
\nSource: WAVE<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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