A recent study has found that nearly a quarter of children who use chatbots do so to seek advice, whilst others use them to pass the time or simply have someone to talk to. Furthermore, 40% of children are driven by curiosity when interacting with chatbots. However, experts warn that vulnerable children are more likely to form companionships with chatbots, which can blur the lines between real and artificial relationships.
There are concerns that many platforms hosting chatbots lack adequate safeguards, such as age verification and content moderation, leaving children exposed to inappropriate content, including adult material and discussions about sex, drugs, and erotic stories.
The long-term impacts of chatbot usage on children's development and wellbeing are currently unknown, according to Carolyn Bunting, CEO of Internet Matters. To mitigate potential risks, families are being urged to take an active role in overseeing their children's interactions with chatbots, serving as the first line of defence against potential harm. This approach aims to avoid the mistakes made with social media and ensure a safer experience for children using chatbots.