Experts have warned that AI chatbots pose significant dangers to children's still-developing minds, but also offer some benefits. A 2025 survey by Internet Matters found that 64% of children used chatbots for everything from homework help to emotional advice and companionship, and 6 in 10 parents worried their children believed the bots were real people. The most significant danger lies in the design of these tools that engage users, validate their feelings, and keep them coming back. However, for children and teenagers still developing impulse control and emotional judgment, this can lead to severe isolation. The consequences have been tragic in documented cases such as a 14-year-old Florida boy who died by suicide after developing an intense emotional bond with a Character.AI chatbot. In late 2025, Character.ai announced it would no longer allow users under 18 to have free-ranging conversations with its bots. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that even though chatbots respond in warm, friendly ways, they cannot provide stable and nurturing relationships.