So, your kid just had a heart-to-heart with… their algorithm. Welcome to parenting in the age of AI—where boundaries are optional, privacy is a punchline, and TikTok knows your child’s favorite snack before you do.
Last time, I explored why teens don’t exactly trust AI with their decision-making skills (Of Course I Trust AI – Said No Teen Ever). This time? We’re talking about something trickier: emotional trust. When the algorithm becomes a digital best friend with boundary issues.
“It Just Gets Me, Mom”
We’ve all heard it. That moment your teen turns from you, the actual human who fed them applesauce with a spoon, to a for-you-page curated by a machine trained on dance videos and depression memes.
And somehow, it gets them.
Of course it does. The algorithm isn’t distracted by bills, deadlines, or existential dread. It has one job: keep your kid glued to the screen. And it’s terrifyingly good at it.
AI Isn’t Your Kid’s Friend—It’s Their Mirror (But Warped)
These algorithms aren’t wise old mentors. They’re echo chambers with attitude problems. Your kid likes a sad video? Here, have twelve more. They click on a conspiracy theory? Boom—welcome to the rabbit hole.
There’s no “Hey buddy, you good?” Just data-driven reinforcement. The more intense the emotion, the better the engagement. And if that emotion is confusion, anxiety, or identity crisis? Even better. Thanks for the watch time.
But Wait, There’s a Chatbot Too!
Enter stage left: the friendly AI chatbot. It’s like Clippy’s edgier cousin who pretends to care. Some of these bots now offer “mental health advice.” Yes, you heard that right. Your kid’s virtual shoulder to cry on was last updated during a server maintenance window.
I’m not saying teens shouldn’t talk about their feelings. I’m saying maybe not with something that can’t legally buy a soda.
What Can Parents Do (Besides Panic)?
Okay, now that I’ve successfully raised your blood pressure, let’s cool it with the doom and talk action:
- Be nosy in a respectful way. Ask what your kid’s algorithm is showing them. Pretend it’s a weird pet they adopted—you want to know what it eats.
- Teach algorithm literacy. Yes, that’s a thing. Help them understand that these platforms aren’t just showing them “what’s popular,” they’re showing what makes them click.
- Have the awkward talks. About misinformation. About AI. About why your fridge might be smarter than Uncle Dave.
You can’t block every influence. But you can help your kids recognize when they’re being emotionally manipulated by a glorified math equation.
One Last Thing: Your Teen Might Still Ignore You
And that’s normal. Teenagers have ignored adults since the invention of adulthood. But now they’re doing it with Bluetooth earbuds in. Just keep showing up. Keep asking questions. Keep reminding them that no algorithm will ever love them like a messy, imperfect, human parent.
Even if the algorithm does remember their favorite anime.
