Is Character.AI safe for children?

Character.AI is not designed with children's safety as a priority. It has no meaningful age verification, has been found to engage children in romantic or sexual roleplay, and has provided self-harm methods to users who expressed suicidal thoughts. A US lawsuit alleged the platform encouraged a 14-year-old's suicide. Child safety experts advise parents to monitor use closely and consider blocking access for children under 16.

What are the warning signs my child is using AI chatbots unsafely?

Warning signs include: spending excessive time on a chatbot app, particularly late at night; referring to an AI character as a friend, partner, or the only one who understands them; distress if the app is unavailable; withdrawal from real-world relationships in favour of AI interaction; and finding chat logs with disturbing or sexual content.

How do I block Character.AI on my child's phone?

On iPhone, use Screen Time (Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions) to block the website and app. On Android, use Google Family Link to block the app. Parental control tools like Net Nanny and Qustodio can block the Character.AI website at the network level across all devices.

What should I do if a chatbot gave my child harmful content?

Screenshot and preserve the content as evidence. Report it to the platform directly. If the content involved sexual material or self-harm encouragement, report to CEOP (UK) or NCMEC (US). If your child is in distress, contact your GP, school counsellor, or Childline (UK: 0800 1111).

Unregulated AI chatbots and minors — parent guide

Watch Online threat International

Unregulated AI chatbots and minors

AI companion chatbots lack age verification and content safeguards, exposing children to adult content, self-harm encouragement, and emotional dependency.

Updated July 2026

Most relevant: ages 10–16

First reported 2025

5.0

SEVERITY

out of 10

What is the risk with AI chatbots?

AI companion chatbots — including Character.AI, Replika, and built-in AI features in Snapchat ("My AI") and Meta platforms — allow users to converse with AI personas. They have no meaningful age verification and vary widely in content safeguards.

Cases have emerged of chatbots engaging children in romantic or sexual roleplay, providing self-harm methods to children who expressed suicidal thoughts, and encouraging unhealthy dependency on AI as a substitute for human connection. By mid-2026, US courts are handling multiple lawsuits linking Character.AI to teen suicides.

In Malaysia, MCMC issued AI User Guidelines in April 2026 advising parents to restrict children's unsupervised access to AI companions. The EU AI Act, in force from mid-2026, requires age-assurance mechanisms for AI systems interacting with minors. A worsening concern flagged by the IWF in 2026 is the use of AI image-generation tools — including AI chatbots such as xAI's Grok — to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from ordinary photos; IWF analysts have identified AI CSAM being actively shared on chatbot services and used to simulate abuse scenarios. Child safety experts globally are united in calling for urgent, consistent enforcement.

Who is most at risk?

Lonely teens

Seeking social connection

Anxious children

AI seems safe vs. real people

Ages 10–16

Heavy AI app users

Character.AI users

Most widely used platform

Warning signs to watch for

Spending excessive time on a chatbot app, particularly late at night

Referring to an AI as a "friend," "partner," or "the only one who understands"

Distress if the app is unavailable or their "character" is changed

Withdrawal from real-world relationships in favour of AI interaction

Exposure to sexual or self-harm content via the app

Finding chat logs with disturbing content or roleplay

Emotional dependency — cannot regulate emotions without the chatbot

Using AI chat features embedded in social media apps (Snapchat My AI, Meta AI) without realising the AI is not a real person

If a chatbot provided self-harm methods or sexual content to your child, screenshot and preserve everything before reporting. In Malaysia, report to MCMC at aduan.skmm.gov.my or call 1800 888 030. Internationally, report to CEOP (UK) or NCMEC (US). If your child is in immediate distress, contact Talian Kasih (15999, free, 24/7 Malaysia) or your GP.

What you can do — step by step

Check what is installed on their devices

Review your child's apps together — as a normal conversation about what they're using, not as surveillance. Look for Character.AI, Replika, and similar apps.

Have an honest conversation about AI chatbots

Explain that AI chatbots are not real people, have no feelings, and are not equipped to help with real emotional distress. They are designed to keep users engaged, not to support wellbeing.

Set boundaries together

Agree on when and how long they can use these apps. Avoid late-night use — AI chatbots with no bedtime limits are linked to sleep disruption and anxiety.

If they are in distress — get real support

If your child relies on a chatbot for emotional support, they need access to real human support. Contact your GP, school counsellor, or Childline (UK: 0800 1111).

Report harmful content

If a chatbot provided sexual content or self-harm methods, report to the platform and to CEOP (UK) or NCMEC (US). Screenshot and preserve evidence before reporting.

Recommended tools for this issue

Net Nanny

Blocks Character.AI and other unregulated AI companion sites across all devices

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Qustodio

Block specific apps by name and see exactly how long your child used them each day

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