APA Advocates for Safeguards and Education to Protect Adolescents from AI Risks

The American Psychological Association (APA) has issued a critical call to action, emphasizing the need for protective measures and educational initiatives to safeguard young users of artificial intelligence (AI). Recognizing the nuanced and complex effects of AI on adolescents aged 10 to 25—a period marked by significant brain development—the report highlights the importance of establishing guardrails to prevent exploitation, manipulation, and the erosion of meaningful real-world relationships.

The report, titled "Artificial Intelligence and Adolescent Well-being: An APA Health Advisory," urges developers, policymakers, educators, and parents to prioritize youth safety early in AI's evolution to avoid repeating past mistakes associated with social media. It emphasizes that AI's impact is neither inherently positive nor negative but underscores the potential dangers, such as unhealthy relationships with chatbots and unrecognized interactions with AI, which can lead to harmful consequences.

Key recommendations include setting healthy boundaries with AI-generated relationships, implementing age-appropriate privacy and interaction settings, and promoting AI applications that support healthy cognitive and emotional development. The report advocates for protections against exposure to harmful or inaccurate content and stresses the importance of safeguarding adolescents' personal data, particularly their likenesses and usage information.

Furthermore, the report champions the integration of comprehensive AI literacy into educational curricula and the development of guidelines at the national and state levels. These measures aim to empower adolescents with the knowledge to navigate AI responsibly while reducing risks.

As Dr. Mitch Prinstein, chief of psychology at the APA, states, "Like social media, AI is neither good nor bad. It’s how we manage its integration that determines its impact on young people." Many of these protective changes can be implemented promptly by parents, educators, and adolescents themselves, with more extensive adjustments requiring concerted efforts from developers and policymakers.

Additional resources for parents and teens on AI safety and literacy are available through the APA website, emphasizing a proactive approach to ensuring adolescent well-being in the age of AI.