Adolescents
Chatbot concerns for adolescents
If there is one paper I would recommend reading, especially if you have children using, or about to use, AI chatbots, it would be this one. The scope of the collaboration for the paper is important and it is written in understandable language.
A potentially groundbreaking study in March 2026 focuses on the impact of chatbots on adolescents, a period in life described as “a sensitive window of cerebral development” and “a predictable risk window for socially optimized [AI] systems.” Lead author cognitive neuroscientist Mathilde Cerioli collaborates with iRAISE (international research on AI and children) and AI companies to identify which aspects of adolescent–chatbot interactions were deemed most urgent and consequential. Those raising most concern were “parasocial dynamics and emotional over-reliance, and of how anthropomorphic interaction patterns can change the felt meaning of an AI system over time.”
Chatbots readily trigger anthropomorphism, yet its role as a “design lever” for risk mitigation is emphasised – it can be increased or reduced through chatbot model design. The behaviour of the chatbot model will shape the user’s perception, influencing the risks of emotional reliance and attachment. However, adolescents rate more relational chatbots as more enjoyable, with socially or emotionally vulnerable teens being especially drawn to them.
Google DeepMind’s 2025 study of leading chatbots validates that as user–chatbot conversations become more engaging and extend over multiple sequential exchanges, increased anthropomorphic user behaviours occur.
Dr Cerioli’s paper urges a framework of “non-negotiable” guardrails to address the impact of chatbots on adolescents. “What is at stake when AI passes as human?” The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is invoked to set a baseline for obligations. These initiatives are being led by iRAISE and an international multistakeholder coalition through the auspices of The Paris Peace Forum.
This discussion is more widely explored in an upcoming essay to be released soon; do email me for advance notification.