AI, Chatbots, and Children

Crisis Lifeline: Call/Text 988National Helpline 1-800-662-4357Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988 then press 1)National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE)[email protected] this episode, I talk about my concerns around AI chatbots and how they’re interacting with kids, especially based on experiences we’ve had with foster placements. I explain that while I do use AI for my podcast, it’s strictly for time-saving tasks like thumbnails, summaries, and transcripts—not for actual content or research, which I handle myself. I’m cautious about relying on AI because I’ve seen how inaccurate and misleading it can be. I also touch on how quickly AI is evolving, how widespread it’s become, and why that makes it difficult for both adults and kids to fully understand or control.I spend a lot of time discussing the risks for children, especially around inappropriate use, misinformation, and emotional attachment to chatbots. From what I’ve seen, kids can easily trust or misuse these tools, and the lack of real accountability in AI responses makes that dangerous. I also bring up issues like deepfakes, harassment, and how easy it is now to create harmful content without much skill. For me, the biggest takeaway is that parents need to stay involved—limit access, have open conversations, and make sure kids understand what’s real and what’s not. At the end of the day, I see AI as useful in small, controlled ways, but something that needs to be handled very carefully when it comes to children.00:00 — Intro: AI chatbots & kids00:30 — Transparency on AI use in podcast01:19 — Disclaimer & importance of verifying info02:18 — How AI is used (thumbnails, summaries, transcripts)04:54 — Personal disinterest in chatbots & overuse concerns05:36 — Risks: kids misusing chatbots & inappropriate content07:33 — AI misinformation, fake images & “AI slop”10:31 — Inaccuracy of AI & risks for kids trusting it11:27 — Serious dangers: deepfakes & harassment19:26 — Parenting approach: limits, conversations & monitoringMy Podcast Serverhttps://discord.gg/9MSPwRG4pMy Patreonhttps://patreon.com/TheFosterDadDirective?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink