239: AI Companions & Teens: Connection or Concern?

Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens

Dr. Lisa Damour/Reena Ninan

Kids & Family, Mental Health, Parenting, Health & Fitness

4.8 • 720 Ratings

🗓️ 30 September 2025

⏱️ 35 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What happens when your tween or teen turns to AI for advice… or even FRIENDSHIP? Today’s kids sometimes experiment with AI chatbots in ways that many parents don’t see coming. While some of their interactions may be harmless, the risks are real. In this episode of Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Raising Tweens & Teens, psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan unpack the hidden dangers of AI companions, the developmental vulnerabilities of younger teens, and the steps every parent can take to keep kids safe without overreacting. 💡 YOU’LL LEARN: - Why AI “companions” can be especially dangerous for tweens and young teens- How AI captures kids’ attention using hyper-personal data- The real risks: sycophantic affirmations, harmful advice, no safety nets- Warning signs your child may be overly dependent on AI- The most effective guardrails: keeping tech out of bedrooms, building skepticism, and starting ongoing conversations- How strong parent–teen relationships are the ultimate protection against manipulative technology This conversation turns anxiety into actionable, compassionate guidance, helping you protect your kids while staying connected in a rapidly changing digital world. Follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can see all our latest video episodes: https://youtube.com/@asklisapodcast And follow us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @AskLisaPodcast, @Lisa.Damour, @ReenaNinan. Checkout Dr. Lisa’s website for more resources: https://www.drlisadamour.com/ Ask Lisa is produced by: https://www.goodtroubleproductions.com Episode keywords: AI teens, parenting tech, digital safety, teen AI risks, AI dangers, parenting guide, teen technology, AI companions, digital parenting Podcast keywords: ask lisa podcast, dr lisa damour, reena ninan, psychology, parenting, podcast, teens, tweens, parenting teens, parenting tweens, teen parenting, tween parenting, parenting tips, parenting advice, positive parenting, parenting podcast, teen behavior, tween challenges, raising tweens, raising teens, parenting hacks, parenting help, family dynamics, kids podcast, mental health, teen mental health, attachment styles, emotional intelligence

Transcript

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0:00.0	Tell me a parenting issue everyone struggles with with tweens and teens, but no one talks about.
0:06.6	Rina, I think a lot of people feel like they just don't know how to connect to their kid anymore.
0:12.7	I'm Rina Nainen and welcome to Ask Lisa the psychology of raising tweens and teens.
0:17.6	And I'm Dr. Lisa DeMore.
0:19.1	We bring you science-back strategies for managing anxiety, discipline, intense emotions, and more.
0:24.6	We decode tough parenting issues with tips you can use right now.
0:28.6	So subscribe to Ask Lisa the psychology of raising tweens and teens and join our YouTube community today.
0:35.6	Just Google, Ask Lisa Podcast.
0:38.0	We're here to help you untangle family life.
0:43.4	Episode 239, AI Companions and Teens, Connection or Concern.
0:57.4	So I am so sick of meal planning.
1:07.0	I know it's too early in the school year for this, but it's like if there's one parenting thing I could have taken off my plate, literally, would be the meal prep and the cooking.
1:07.7	Okay.
1:10.4	I don't know what's going on, but I'm like all over it right now.
1:29.1	Like, Rina, I know. I know. I don't, I think, I don't know why this is happening, but I actually am like, killing it on dinners. And I even made a menu that I put on a bulletin board we have in our mudroom of like, this is what we'll be eating this week. I'm like overly proud, annoying as and, and it probably will not last more than 10 days.
1:33.4	Wait, but tell me, how do you, like, how do you come up with the ideas? Because part of it is thinking of what everybody wants that will be, everyone will be happy with. You know, on the inside
1:37.3	of a cabinet, I have a piece of paper where I write down things. And I am into the, like, nutritious
1:42.4	and well-liked and easy universe. And I've kind of got some
1:48.0	recipes right now that are working for me. We can maybe we'll like branch out on the Ask Lisa
1:52.8	podcast and have a like, you know, best recipes in terms of like effort to outcome ratio.
1:59.6	That's what I'm always thinking about. It's true. The effort to
2:03.5	outcome ratio matters. But I am spending my Sundays now trying to figure out what I can do and what is
	...

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