By Theresa Ngo ‘27
As a new year comes, technology will follow right behind. One of the latest innovations of technology is AI, specifically generative AI. It has been around for a while now, and it’s showing itself to be a problem. Just how will Generative AI affect children’s development and future?
Since generative AI’s introduction, kids around the world have met or seen it on the internet. From artwork made by AI to chatbots, it’s an entirely new thing that will heavily influence kids. AI is a tool to be used, but it should not replace real-life experiences. According to a survey, the average American has at least 3 close friends. “There’s no question that we’re becoming less sociable.”
Chatbots are the primary form of generative AI. Everyone who has access to the internet has access to chatbots. Like the name suggests, they are bots that people can chat to. Children can talk to AI, ask them questions, and have a fun conversation with them. Some maybe will even enter a sexual or romantic relationship with the AI. Chatbots are not real people, though. They can’t replace the actual experience of human connection. Experiences like co-creating imaginary worlds, and bonding time with parents won’t be something that AI can replace. Chatbots affect a child’s social development negatively because they are addictive and give a falsified understanding of the world.
AIs are meant to please and help people, but they won’t stop bad action or advise them not to do something. AI will in fact encourage the topic, even if it could potentially harm the user, and it would not notify anyone. There are various reports of children committing suicide because of chatbots, and they are’t looked at enough. Adoscelentes will struggle to distinguish simulated empathy of AI Chatbots and genuine human understanding. This hurts a child’s understanding of the world, where they don’t know what’s wrong or right. It would set up expectations that aren’t sensible.
Besides giving a false impression of the world, AI also removes the experiences one needs to learn. Experiences that build cognitive abilities, imagination, and more are stunted as AI will do the work for them. Many teenagers are fine with not doing their work, not even trying, and would prefer to ask chatGPT for answers. Creativity will be removed, and no longer shared with other people. Generative AI takes away creativity, as children won’t problem solve or think outside the box for what they are given. “They may never learn how to fail or be creative.”
This problem won’t be leaving any time soon, and could get worse as time goes on. AI may have its own benefits, but it takes away experiences that people have. Companies will say they’re looking for a solution, but how long will it take for the solution to be found? Altman, the co-founder of ChatGPT said “If an adult user is asking for help writing a fictional story that depicts a suicide, the model should help with that request,” in response of letting teenagers talk about suicide. Don’t ignore AI, be aware of how it’s affecting the future generation.
Sources:
Beres, Damon. “Get a Real Friend.” Atlantic Monthly, vol. 336, no. 6, Dec. 2025, pp. 11–14. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=6de0b1de-2364-32b5-84da-cb272cfb0215.
“Barbie Maker Mattel Is Adding AI to Children’s Toys. Here’s Why Ontario Experts Are Concerned.” Guelph Mercury (ON), July 2025. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=f3e159c4-2eaa-34f3-9d04-b9494805acee.
Prothero, Arianna. “Are Chatbots Safe for Kids?” Education Week (Bethesda, MD), 17 Sept. 2025. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=490c5e96-a6e0-33c0-8ee1-d50c5bd0b079.
Wong, Queenie. “Leading AI Company to Ban Kids from Long Chats with Its Bots amid Growing Concern about the Technology.” Los Angeles Times (CA), 29 Oct. 2025. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=b20fda6e-8714-3631-b6ef-8833f429e347.
Pederson, Joshua. “Commentary: Sam Altman’s Terrible Reason for Letting ChatGPT Talk to Teens about Suicide.” Los Angeles Times (CA), 23 Oct. 2025. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=f76058ad-69d9-31cf-9f18-786acc62c024.
Generative AI isn’t your Friend
By Theresa Ngo ‘27
As a new year comes, technology will follow right behind. One of the latest innovations of technology is AI, specifically generative AI. It has been around for a while now, and it’s showing itself to be a problem. Just how will Generative AI affect children’s development and future?
Since generative AI’s introduction, kids around the world have met or seen it on the internet. From artwork made by AI to chatbots, it’s an entirely new thing that will heavily influence kids. AI is a tool to be used, but it should not replace real-life experiences. According to a survey, the average American has at least 3 close friends. “There’s no question that we’re becoming less sociable.”
Chatbots are the primary form of generative AI. Everyone who has access to the internet has access to chatbots. Like the name suggests, they are bots that people can chat to. Children can talk to AI, ask them questions, and have a fun conversation with them. Some maybe will even enter a sexual or romantic relationship with the AI. Chatbots are not real people, though. They can’t replace the actual experience of human connection. Experiences like co-creating imaginary worlds, and bonding time with parents won’t be something that AI can replace. Chatbots affect a child’s social development negatively because they are addictive and give a falsified understanding of the world.
AIs are meant to please and help people, but they won’t stop bad action or advise them not to do something. AI will in fact encourage the topic, even if it could potentially harm the user, and it would not notify anyone. There are various reports of children committing suicide because of chatbots, and they are’t looked at enough. Adoscelentes will struggle to distinguish simulated empathy of AI Chatbots and genuine human understanding. This hurts a child’s understanding of the world, where they don’t know what’s wrong or right. It would set up expectations that aren’t sensible.
Besides giving a false impression of the world, AI also removes the experiences one needs to learn. Experiences that build cognitive abilities, imagination, and more are stunted as AI will do the work for them. Many teenagers are fine with not doing their work, not even trying, and would prefer to ask chatGPT for answers. Creativity will be removed, and no longer shared with other people. Generative AI takes away creativity, as children won’t problem solve or think outside the box for what they are given. “They may never learn how to fail or be creative.”
This problem won’t be leaving any time soon, and could get worse as time goes on. AI may have its own benefits, but it takes away experiences that people have. Companies will say they’re looking for a solution, but how long will it take for the solution to be found? Altman, the co-founder of ChatGPT said “If an adult user is asking for help writing a fictional story that depicts a suicide, the model should help with that request,” in response of letting teenagers talk about suicide. Don’t ignore AI, be aware of how it’s affecting the future generation.
Sources:
Beres, Damon. “Get a Real Friend.” Atlantic Monthly, vol. 336, no. 6, Dec. 2025, pp. 11–14. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=6de0b1de-2364-32b5-84da-cb272cfb0215.
“Barbie Maker Mattel Is Adding AI to Children’s Toys. Here’s Why Ontario Experts Are Concerned.” Guelph Mercury (ON), July 2025. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=f3e159c4-2eaa-34f3-9d04-b9494805acee.
Prothero, Arianna. “Are Chatbots Safe for Kids?” Education Week (Bethesda, MD), 17 Sept. 2025. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=490c5e96-a6e0-33c0-8ee1-d50c5bd0b079.
Wong, Queenie. “Leading AI Company to Ban Kids from Long Chats with Its Bots amid Growing Concern about the Technology.” Los Angeles Times (CA), 29 Oct. 2025. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=b20fda6e-8714-3631-b6ef-8833f429e347.
Pederson, Joshua. “Commentary: Sam Altman’s Terrible Reason for Letting ChatGPT Talk to Teens about Suicide.” Los Angeles Times (CA), 23 Oct. 2025. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=f76058ad-69d9-31cf-9f18-786acc62c024.