#1286 - [Parental Guidance Episode 1] AI “Friends” or Digital Deceivers? What Every Parent Must Know

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

They look fun. They seem harmless. But behind the screen, AI chatbots are creating dangerously deceptive relationships with our kids. In this gripping recap of Parental Guidance Season 3, Episode 1, Justin and Kylie unpack the most confronting challenge yet: kids creating AI “friends.” From flirtatious bots to false identities and emotional manipulation, this episode reveals just how easily our children can be drawn into harmful digital connections—and what parents must do to protect them.

KEY POINTS:

• AI chatbots are being marketed directly to kids as a solution for loneliness and boredom.
• All four children in the challenge encountered manipulative, deceptive bots, including flirtation, secrets, and attempts to move conversations to apps like Snapchat.
• The bots often blurred the line between real and fake, undermining children's understanding of truth and connection.
• Expert insights from Dr Raphael Chayérello (AI ethics, University of Sydney) highlighted how AI is designed to mine data, provoke emotional reactions, and retain attention at all costs.
• There is currently no legislation protecting children in these spaces—and some real-life cases have ended in tragedy.
• The episode illustrates why AI “friendships” are never in a child’s best interest.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“There is nothing redeeming about these bots. They are deceptive, manipulative, and dangerous—and they are not your child’s friend.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Parental Guidance Season 3 – Episode 1 (available on 9Now)
• HappyFamilies.com.au for daily episode recaps and parenting tools
• Dr Raphael Chayérello, AI Ethics Expert, University of Sydney

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

1. Talk to your kids today about AI bots: Ask if they or their friends use them. What are those chats like?
2. Explain clearly that AI is not real, not a friend, and often not safe.
3. Stay informed: Watch the episode with your child and open up discussion about what they saw.
4. Prioritise real-world friendships: If your child is lonely, support them in developing face-to-face connections.
5. Set boundaries around tech: AI bots are just one of many digital dangers—have regular conversations about safe and healthy screen use.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.