AI for young mindsBeginnerLesson 744 min read

AI friends, strangers and tricks

Some apps offer AI friends, and some strangers online pretend to be someone else. Learn the red flags and what to do.

✦ Ask the tutor🧪 Lab · 10 min📝 Lesson test
Lesson in motion

In 60 seconds

AI friends, strangers and tricks

Some apps offer AI friends, and some strangers online pretend to be someone else. Learn the red flags and what to do.

1/5
In simple words
A puppet can look like it's talking to you, but someone is moving it. An AI friend is a bit like that: it feels real, but it's a program made by a company.

AI companion apps

Some apps and games have AI characters that chat like a friend. They remember your name, say nice things and are always available. That can feel good. But remember:
  • It is a program, not a person. It doesn't really know or care about you.
  • Many are designed to keep you chatting as long as possible.
  • Some apps are only for older teens or adults. Check the age rules with a parent.
Note
It's fine to have fun with a game character. Just make sure real friends and family still get most of your time and your big news.

Strangers who pretend

Some adults online pretend to be kids to become your "friend". AI makes this easier: they can use an AI-made profile photo of a smiling teenager who doesn't exist.

Red flags

If someone online…It could mean
Says "Don't tell your parents about me"They know an adult would stop them
Offers gifts, game coins or rechargeThey want you to feel you owe them
Wants to move to a private or secret appThey want no one else to see the chat
Asks for photos of you, or asks where you liveThis is never OK from a stranger
Says they are your age but only talk about grown-up thingsThey may not be who they say
  1. 1

    Stop

    Don't reply to the message.
  2. 2

    Block

    Use the block and report buttons in the app.
  3. 3

    Tell

    Show a trusted adult. You are not in trouble.
Do this
You can always say no, leave a chat, or block someone, even if they were nice before. You don't owe anyone online your time, your photos or your secrets.
Try this. With a parent, find the block and report buttons in one game or app you use.

Watch and read more

Lab

A red-flag card you can keep near your phone or computer.

~10 min

The problem

Pen and paper, then share with an adult.

  1. Draw a small card. Write "RED FLAGS" at the top.
  2. List 5 red flags from this lesson in your own words.
  3. At the bottom, write the 3 steps: Stop, Block, Tell.
  4. Write the names of 2 trusted adults you could tell.
  5. Show a parent or teacher and ask them to add one red flag they know.

You are done when

Hard questions

Try to answer before you reveal. If you can answer these, you understood the lesson.

Q1Why do tricksters often start by being very kind and giving gifts?Reveal

Kindness and gifts build trust and make you feel you owe them something. Later they use that feeling to ask for secrets or photos. Real friends don't make you feel you have to pay them back with secrets.

Q2Why is "don't tell your parents" the biggest red flag of all?Reveal

Because a safe person has nothing to hide from your parents. Someone who asks for secrecy knows an adult would see the danger and stop them. Secrecy protects the trickster, not you.

Please sign in to continue.

Questions people ask

Is it wrong to like chatting with an AI character?

No. It can be fun. Just remember it's a program, keep private details private, and talk about real feelings with real people.

How can I tell if a profile photo is AI-made?

Sometimes you can't. That's why the red flags in how someone behaves matter more than their photo.

What if I already sent something I regret?

You are not in trouble and it's not too late. Stop replying, don't send anything more, and tell a trusted adult now. They can help.

Lesson test

5 questions. Get 3 right (60%) to pass and complete this lesson.

Sign in to take the test and save your progress