Latest news with #adolescents
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Health
- Bloomberg
The Attack on Transgender Kids Isn't Just Cruel. It's an Omen.
In his first six months in office, President Donald Trump has launched a relentless campaign of fear and intimidation aimed at dismantling the network that provides health care to transgender adolescents. It's working. Hospitals — worried that their federal funding for Medicaid and Medicare may be jeopardized — are rapidly withdrawing support from this small, vulnerable group of young people. With each passing month of Trump's presidency, families find the future of care for their transgender children increasingly uncertain.
Times of Oman
24-07-2025
- Times of Oman
"Al Buraimi Summer" activities begin
Al Buraimi: The "Al Buraimi Summer" activities, organided by the Al Buraimi Governor's Office, have commenced. The programme includes a series of educational, artistic, and community events that will run over the coming weeks. The programme aims to utilise the energy of youth and adolescents during the summer holiday through a variety of workshops, courses, and diverse programmes that combine entertainment and benefit. These activities are designed to enhance community values and life skills. The programme's activities feature a diverse range of specialised training workshops that cater to the interests of various age groups. These include areas such as creative recycling, an English language training course, artificial intelligence applications and their utilisation, personal planning, and learning Python programming. Python is a high-level, versatile, and easy-to-learn programming language widely used in web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and many other fields. The programme also includes courses to enhance life and creative skills, such as news writing and pottery making. Additionally, tourism trips within Al Buraimi Governorate are being organised to introduce participants to historical and natural sites, strengthening their connection to the area. These courses and workshops provide an ideal space for developing youth capabilities and discovering their skills in various fields. They also contribute to guiding children towards spending their free time in enjoyable and purposeful activities that foster their cognitive and creative aspects and enhance their interaction with their community in a stimulating educational environment.
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Yahoo
Tips to help your teen navigate AI chatbots — and what to watch out for: experts
As artificial intelligence technology becomes part of daily life, adolescents are turning to chatbots for advice, guidance and conversation. The appeal is clear: Chatbots are patient, never judgmental, supportive and always available. That worries experts who say the booming AI industry is largely unregulated and that many parents have no idea about how their kids are using AI tools or the extent of personal information they are sharing with chatbots. New research shows more than 70% of American teenagers have used AI companions and more than half converse with them regularly. The study by Common Sense Media focused on 'AI companions,' like Character. AI, Nomi and Replika, which it defines as 'digital friends or characters you can text or talk with whenever you want,' versus AI assistants or tools like ChatGPT, though it notes they can be used the same way. It's important that parents understand the technology. Experts suggest some things parents can do to help protect their kids: — Start a conversation, without judgment, says Michael Robb, head researcher at Common Sense Media. Approach your teen with curiosity and basic questions: 'Have you heard of AI companions?' 'Do you use apps that talk to you like a friend?' Listen and understand what appeals to your teen before being dismissive or saying you're worried about it. — Help teens recognize that AI companions are programmed to be agreeable and validating. Explain that's not how real relationships work and that real friends with their own points of view can help navigate difficult situations in ways that AI companions cannot. 'One of the things that's really concerning is not only what's happening on screen but how much time it's taking kids away from relationships in real life,' says Mitch Prinstein, chief of psychology at the American Psychological Association. 'We need to teach kids that this is a form of entertainment. It's not real, and it's really important they distinguish it from reality and should not have it replace relationships in your actual life.' The APA recently put out a health advisory on AI and adolescent well-being, and tips for parents. — Parents should watch for signs of unhealthy attachments. 'If your teen is preferring AI interactions over real relationships or spending hours talking to AI companions, or showing that they are becoming emotionally distressed when separated from them — those are patterns that suggest AI companions might be replacing rather than complementing human connection,' Robb says. — Parents can set rules about AI use, just like they do for screen time and social media. Have discussions about when and how AI tools can and cannot be used. Many AI companions are designed for adult use and can mimic romantic, intimate and role-playing scenarios. While AI companions may feel supportive, children should understand the tools are not equipped to handle a real crisis or provide genuine mental health support. If kids are struggling with depression, anxiety, loneliness, an eating disorder or other mental health challenges, they need human support — whether it is family, friends or a mental health professional. — Get informed. The more parents know about AI, the better. 'I don't think people quite get what AI can do, how many teens are using it and why it's starting to get a little scary,' says Prinstein, one of many experts calling for regulations to ensure safety guardrails for children. 'A lot of us throw our hands up and say, 'I don't know what this is!' This sounds crazy!' Unfortunately, that tells kids if you have a problem with this, don't come to me because I am going to diminish it and belittle it.' Older teenagers have advice, too, for parents and kids. Banning AI tools is not a solution because the technology is becoming ubiquitous, says Ganesh Nair, 18. 'Trying not to use AI is like trying to not use social media today. It is too ingrained in everything we do,' says Nair, who is trying to step back from using AI companions after seeing them affect real-life friendships in his high school. 'The best way you can try to regulate it is to embrace being challenged.' 'Anything that is difficult, AI can make easy. But that is a problem,' says Nair. 'Actively seek out challenges, whether academic or personal. If you fall for the idea that easier is better, then you are the most vulnerable to being absorbed into this newly artificial world.' Solve the daily Crossword
Washington Post
23-07-2025
- Washington Post
These tips from experts can help your teenager navigate AI companions
As artificial intelligence technology becomes part of daily life, adolescents are turning to chatbots for advice, guidance and conversation. The appeal is clear: Chatbots are patient, never judgmental, supportive and always available. That worries experts who say the booming AI industry is largely unregulated and that many parents have no idea about how their kids are using AI tools or the extent of personal information they are sharing with chatbots.
Al Arabiya
23-07-2025
- Al Arabiya
These tips from experts can help your teenager navigate AI companions
As artificial intelligence technology becomes part of daily life, adolescents are turning to chatbots for advice, guidance, and conversation. The appeal is clear: Chatbots are patient, never judgmental, supportive, and always available. That worries experts who say the booming AI industry is largely unregulated and that many parents have no idea about how their kids are using AI tools or the extent of personal information they are sharing with chatbots. New research shows more than 70 percent of American teenagers have used AI companions, and more than half converse with them regularly. The study by Common Sense Media focused on AI companions like Character. AI, Nomi, and Replika, which it defines as digital friends or characters you can text or talk with whenever you want versus AI assistants or tools like ChatGPT, though it notes they can be used the same way. It's important that parents understand the technology. Experts suggest some things parents can do to help protect their kids: – Start a conversation without judgment, says Michael Robb, head researcher at Common Sense Media. Approach your teen with curiosity and basic questions: Have you heard of AI companions? Do you use apps that talk to you like a friend? Listen and understand what appeals to your teen before being dismissive or saying you're worried about it. – Help teens recognize that AI companions are programmed to be agreeable and validating. Explain that's not how real relationships work and that real friends with their own points of view can help navigate difficult situations in ways that AI companions cannot. One of the things that's really concerning is not only what's happening on screen but how much time it's taking kids away from relationships in real life, says Mitch Prinstein, chief of psychology at the American Psychological Association. We need to teach kids that this is a form of entertainment. It's not real, and it's really important they distinguish it from reality and should not have it replace relationships in your actual life. The APA recently put out a health advisory on AI and adolescent well-being and tips for parents. – Parents should watch for signs of unhealthy attachments. If your teen is preferring AI interactions over real relationships or spending hours talking to AI companions or showing that they are becoming emotionally distressed when separated from them – those are patterns that suggest AI companions might be replacing rather than complementing human connection, Robb says. – Parents can set rules about AI use just like they do for screen time and social media. Have discussions about when and how AI tools can and cannot be used. Many AI companions are designed for adult use and can mimic romantic, intimate, and role-playing scenarios. While AI companions may feel supportive, children should understand the tools are not equipped to handle a real crisis or provide genuine mental health support. If kids are struggling with depression, anxiety, loneliness, an eating disorder, or other mental health challenges, they need human support – whether it is family, friends, or a mental health professional. – Get informed. The more parents know about AI, the better. I don't think people quite get what AI can do, how many teens are using it, and why it's starting to get a little scary, says Prinstein, one of many experts calling for regulations to ensure safety guardrails for children. A lot of us throw our hands up and say, 'I don't know what this is! This sounds crazy!' Unfortunately, that tells kids, 'If you have a problem with this, don't come to me because I am going to diminish it and belittle it.' Older teenagers have advice too for parents and kids. Banning AI tools is not a solution because the technology is becoming ubiquitous, says Ganesh Nair, 18. Trying not to use AI is like trying to not use social media today. It is too ingrained in everything we do, says Nair, who is trying to step back from using AI companions after seeing them affect real-life friendships in his high school. The best way you can try to regulate it is to embrace being challenged. Anything that is difficult, AI can make easy. But that is a problem, says Nair. Actively seek out challenges whether academic or personal. If you fall for the idea that easier is better, then you are the most vulnerable to being absorbed into this newly artificial world.
