The American Psychological Association (APA) released a health advisory calling for guardrails and education to protect adolescent AI users. WCW Senior Research Scientist Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., director of the Youth, Media & Wellbeing Research Lab, served as a member of the APA’s expert advisory panel.

Following on the APA’s previous report on social media use in adolescence, which Charmaraman also contributed to, the report on AI and adolescent wellbeing noted that the effects of artificial intelligence on adolescents are nuanced and complex. It called on developers to prioritize features that protect young people from exploitation, manipulation, and the erosion of real-world relationships.

The APA also offered ”Four ways parents can help teens use AI safely”. Among them, Charmaraman noted that when teens seek health information online, which data show they frequently do, AI can produce inaccurate information that seems authoritative. This polished presentation can make false or controversial health information particularly convincing, potentially leading to impulsive decisions or delayed treatment.

“Teens may be seeking out a clear cut, universal answer when there is so much in the gray zone,” Charmaraman said. “Teens are still learning how to weigh credibility, and AI can blur those lines by sounding confident and reliable. Parents can help by encouraging curiosity: ‘Who’s behind this advice?’ or ‘Is this information relevant to teens like me?’ are great questions to ask together.”

Read the full advisory, and read “Four ways parents can help teens use AI safely”.