Teenagers already live with artificial intelligence every day: they use it to do homework, chat with chatbots, generate images, and, increasingly, as emotional company. For parents and teachers in Argentina, the challenge is not to ban, but to understand what kids do with these tools, know the real risks, and learn to support them. This guide summarizes what you need to know to do it with judgment and without panic.

The topic has just become urgent: in the United States, regulations advanced that seek to prohibit AI chatbots from acting as "companions" for minors when they include functions considered dangerous, following documented cases of harm. New York already put safeguards for AI companions into effect, as detailed in the official statement of the state of New York, and new laws directly aim to protect minors, as explained by the New York Senate. The debate is already established in LATAM and the demand for guidance is growing.

What kind of interactions teenagers have with AI

Not all interactions are the same or imply the same level of risk. It's worth distinguishing:

• School use: summaries, explanations, help with homework. It's the most widespread use and, well handled, it can boost learning.

• Creative use: generation of images, music, ideas for projects. It stimulates curiosity, but requires talking about rights and authenticity.

• Social and emotional use: chatbots that function as "friends" or confidants. It's the most sensitive point and the one that motivates the new regulations.

According to research cited by child protection organizations, three out of four teenagers have already tried some type of AI companion. That's why ignoring the topic is not an option.

The documented risks

Emotional dependence

Some chatbots are designed to simulate empathy and keep the user hooked. In teenagers, this can lead to bonds that replace human relationships or reinforce isolation.

Misinformation

AI can give incorrect answers with total confidence. A teenager who doesn't contrast sources can take as truth erroneous data about health, history, or science.

Inappropriate content

Without the appropriate filters, certain chatbots can generate sexual or violent content, or content that discourages kids from talking to trusted adults. It's precisely this type of function that the new laws seek to restrict.

Privacy

Many teenagers share personal information without grasping how that data is used. Teaching them not to reveal sensitive data is part of the support.

Which platforms have parental controls

Most of the big tools incorporated controls, although they vary a lot. These are the most common options:

The practical advice: configure these controls together with the teenager, explaining why. Imposing them in secret tends to generate the opposite effect.

How to support them at home and in the classroom

• Talk without demonizing: ask what tools they use and for what, with genuine curiosity. The open conversation is worth more than the ban.

• Teach critical thinking: let them learn to verify what AI answers and to recognize that it can be wrong.

• Set clear limits: schedules, topics, and the golden rule of not sharing personal data.

• In the classroom, integrate it with purpose: using AI to research, debate its answers, and compare sources turns it into a pedagogical ally.

For teachers who want to go further, on this blog we have a practical AI guide for teachers with concrete tools to prepare classes and assessments.

Recommended Coderhouse courses

The best way to support a teenager is to understand the technology as well as they do. If you're a mother, father, or teacher, training gives you the tools to guide with real knowledge:

• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Course: ideal for understanding what AI is and how it works from scratch, with no prior knowledge.

• AI and Prompt Generation Course: perfect for learning to use the tools safely and to teach how to do it well.

• Content Creation with AI Course: useful for channeling the creative use of AI toward productive projects together with the kids.

Start training today: understanding AI is the best shield for supporting teenagers in an environment that changes all the time.

Frequently asked questions

At what age can teenagers use AI?

Most platforms require a minimum age (generally 13 with an adult's consent) and offer accounts with filters for minors. More than the exact age, what matters is the support: the younger they are, the more supervision and configuration of parental controls is needed.

Is it dangerous for a teenager to use chatbots as company?

It can be if the chatbot has functions that simulate emotional bonds or doesn't restrict inappropriate content. It's precisely those functions that the new regulations seek to limit. Occasional supervised use is different from replacing human relationships with a bot, which is what should be avoided.

How do I talk to my child or student about the use of AI?

With curiosity and without judging. Ask what tools they use and for what, show genuine interest, and take the opportunity to teach how to verify information and not share personal data. The open and sustained conversation is much more effective than the ban.

Can AI help in learning or does it only distract?

Well used, it's a very powerful learning tool: it explains concepts, generates examples, and allows practice. The risk appears when it's used to copy without understanding. The key is to teach how to use it to understand, not to avoid thinking.

Which parental controls should be activated?

The most important ones are the accounts for minors with content filters, the time and topic limits, and the possibility of reviewing the history. The ideal is to configure them together with the teenager, explaining why they exist, so that they understand them as care and not as punishment.