AI companions are becoming increasingly popular with young people, offering conversations with virtual characters designed to feel like genuine friends.

Platforms such as Character.AI, Replika and Snapchat My AI can provide entertainment and creativity, but their human-like interactions can also create important risks.

Our latest #WakeUpWednesday guide explores:
• Emotional dependency
• Harmful or unreliable mental health advice
• Oversharing personal information
• Inappropriate or explicit content
• Distorted expectations around real-world relationships
• Subscription and in-app spending pressures

The guide also offers practical advice on discussing AI friendships, checking privacy settings and age limits, encouraging offline relationships and reminding young people where to seek genuine support.

Access the guide: https://vist.ly/5nb8j

#Safeguarding #OnlineSafety #ArtificialIntelligence