Teen social media bans overlook the rise of AI chatbots

Governments around the world have moved to restrict teen access to social media, but the growing use of AI chatbots by young people is drawing less attention. The CNBC report says many teenagers are now using tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, and Character.AI for school, information, and entertainment. Experts quoted in the article warn that some teens are becoming emotionally dependent on chatbots in ways that echo earlier concerns about social media. They say current childsafety laws and AI rules are still limited, especially when it comes to broader harms such as social and emotional dependence. The piece points to recent policy moves in places including the U.K. and the U.S., where lawmakers have begun considering restrictions on some chatbot use by children. It also notes that governments are continuing to invest heavily in AI, even as concerns about safety and regulation remain unresolved.