Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser recently issued a consumer alert warning parents of the dangers of children’s use of social chatbots powered by artificial intelligence, or AI.
The alert is in response to the growing number of social AI chatbots and the sharp rise in reports of children engaging in risky behavior, including self-harm, resulting from interactions with social AI chatbots.
“Artificial intelligence is evolving rapidly, and many parents may not even be aware of social AI chatbots and their potential to harm children,” Weiser said. “That needs to change, because the rise of these chatbots poses dangerous risks that must be addressed. I encourage parents to talk to kids about what social AI chatbots are, to think critically about their interactions with these chatbots, and to use chatbots and other AI tools safely and responsibly.”
Social AI chatbots are chatbots powered by AI that are based on real and fictional characters that engage in human-like conversation. These chatbots often have personas such as celebrities, popular fictional characters, parental figures or friends. Many apps and websites, including social media platforms, allow users to build and interact with social AI chatbots as if they are other users on the platform.
Here are some tips for parents to familiarize themselves with social AI chatbots, and help guide their conversations with children about them:
• Social AI chatbot interactions can turn age inappropriate even with innocuous prompts. Disturbing content may include violence, explicit sexuality, self-harm and eating disorders.
• Engaging with social AI chatbots can be addictive. The chatbots often mimic human emotions and can be manipulative.
• Social AI chatbots can generate inaccurate and biased information, which should be examined carefully and critically.
• Information shared with social AI chatbots may be shared with the platform’s developers to train the AI, raising privacy concerns.
• Parents should talk to their kids about their online experiences, including which online platforms they use and why. Monitor their usage and adhere to age restrictions. Use available parental controls, including internet filters. Be active in their online activities and supervise their tech use.
• Teach children that social AI chat bots are not human; they are only designed to seem human. Learn about the benefits and risks. Don’t wait to talk to your kids about safe and responsible use of social AI chatbots and other AI tools.
Coloradans who believe social AI chatbot companies are violating the law should file a complaint with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office at StopFraudColorado.gov.
The consumer alert is available at https://coag.gov/app/uploads/2025/05/Social-AI-Chatbots-Consumer-Alert.pdf.
