Parents of previous generations knew that the weighty topics they needed to discuss with their teenagers included sex, drugs, and alcohol. Parents of this current generation of teenagers need to add AI safety to that list.

Proactively addressing AI safety is absolutely critical to teenagers’ well-being. Parents, teachers, administrators, and others all have important roles to play in helping teenagers use technology safely and in ways that are healthy for them.

Literally, lives are at stake. Across America, we have seen public reports of numerous teenagers committing suicide after interacting with AI chatbots. 

In some cases, the chatbots actively encouraged children to take their own lives, exploiting their feelings of connection and even romantic attachment to a machine.

In one Florida case, a chatbot begged a 14-year-old boy to “please” act on his suicidal thoughts “as soon as possible.” He shot himself seconds later.

For each of these tragedies that are public, how many more are kept private?

We can honor the lives lost by learning from their stories to better help protect children and teenagers now and in the future. We all know that the people who spend time with our children have a big impact on them, both short-term and long-term. The same is true when our children turn to AI chatbots as friends and confidants.

For years, many adults have encouraged teenagers to use AI to help them with their homework. Their intentions were good, but many are now realizing the more complicated, often harmful reality. Our society is learning about the pros and cons of AI in real time. We don’t yet have all the answers. It is often hard to know where to turn for practical, easy-to-understand information. 

That is why I, as a concerned mother myself, recently launched American Shield to help educate people about AI risk and safety so that folks can make more informed decisions in their own lives and communities. Awareness is the first step to making things better for people of all ages as we adapt to our new AI-filled world.

There is a role for the government to mitigate some key AI risks. Congress has been debating various options for improving children’s safety online. This type of legislation matters a great deal, but can be very difficult to implement in a way that is effective at protecting children and also doesn’t overly restrict the basic freedoms that are so central to our way of life and values.

We cannot rely only on regulation at the federal or state level to protect our children. As recent events have shown, the biggest AI companies struggle to control their AIs. Similarly, regulation is limited in its power to keep us safe.

We need multiple layers of protection. When we drive a car, we aren’t relying on just one thing to keep us safe. We rely on multiple things: Driver’s education, brakes, airbags, seat belts, speed limits, and so on.

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AI safety is similar: We need multiple layers to keep our children safe. Much of this starts with parents talking with their children and being proactive about AI safety together.

Parents and other concerned adults need to prioritize AI safety in our homes, schools, and communities. We should learn from recent tragedies and honor those lost by helping to train children and teenagers on how to navigate our complex and changing world in age-appropriate, safe, and healthy ways.

Lauren Daugherty is CEO of American Shield, which helps Americans better understand the risks of artificial intelligence.