AI companions are reshaping teen emotional bonds

Common Sense Media's warning that artificial intelligence companion tools are not safe for kids under 18, as interactions turn personal, marks a significant concern for online safety. This warning has significant implications for website owners, particularly those whose platforms are frequented by teenagers. As AI companion tools become more prevalent, website owners must be aware of the potential risks associated with these interactions, including the potential for minors to form emotional bonds with AI entities. This could lead to increased scrutiny of websites that allow or facilitate such interactions, and website owners may need to reassess their content policies and age restrictions to ensure compliance with emerging guidelines. To mitigate potential risks, website owners can take several steps: firstly, review and update their terms of service to explicitly address the use of AI companion tools by minors; secondly, consider implementing age verification measures to restrict access to certain features or content; and thirdly, monitor AI bot traffic on their site and update their llms.txt files accordingly to ensure transparency and compliance with emerging regulations.