Teens Are Quietly Asking ChatGPT About Sex, Stress, and Suicide
“Is it normal to want to do things sexually before I’m ready?”
“How far is ‘too far’ for my age?”
“What if my boyfriend keeps pressuring me?”
“How do I know if I’m good at sex?”
“Can I get pregnant if…?”
“Is it okay to send a picture?”
“Why am I always anxious?”
“How do I stop overthinking?”
“Why do I hate myself sometimes?”
“What do I do if no one listens to me?”
“How do I know if my life matters?”
“Would people miss me if I disappeared?”
“What do I do if I don’t want to live anymore?”
🟥 Reality Check
Teens aren’t asking parents these questions.
They’re asking ChatGPT.
In today’s email:
🧠 Top Story: The questions kids won’t ask you -- but ask ChatGPT.
🧩 The Guide: Age-by-age scripts to talk to your kid about AI.
🌟 Tool of the Week: Google’s new free AI learning platform for parents + teens.
💬 Stat + Poll: What kids really ask AI about the most.
Teens are turning to AI for answers they’re too scared to ask adults.
TOP STORY
NPR and Harvard researchers say kids trust AI more than teachers, counselors, and sometimes even parents -- not because AI is right, but because it feels easier.
🟥 Why They Go to AI Instead of Us
Because AI never says:
“You’re too young for this.”
“We’ll talk about it later.”
“Are you having sex?”
“Go ask your father.”
The sigh.
The look.
The awkward pause that shuts everything down.
Kids know those reactions. They avoid them.
AI just answers.
Even when it shouldn’t.
🟦 GUIDE: HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT AI
The exact actions. The exact words. Age-by-age.
No theory. No fluff. Just what works for modern AI parenting.
🔹 AGES 3–4 — Keep it simple + supervised
What to SAY
• AI is a helper. It doesn’t have feelings.
• Helpers get confused sometimes. We check together.
• Tell me big things -- I can help.
What to DO
• Supervised use only
• No devices in bedrooms
• Redirect emotional questions
• “We don’t tell computers our secrets.”
🔹 AGES 5–7 — Teach mistakes + privacy
What to SAY
• AI learns from examples; it gets things wrong.
• What do YOU think before we ask AI?
• Only safe things go into computers.
What to DO
• Think → Ask → Review
• Co-view everything
• Name, school, address = NO
• Show purposeful AI mistakes
🔹 AGES 8–10 — Critical thinking + bias
What to SAY
• AI isn’t always right.
• If it feels too perfect, check again.
• AI can learn unfair patterns.
What to DO
• Think → Ask → Verify
• No solo ChatGPT
• Show bias examples
• Teach simple source-checking
🔹 AGES 11–13 — Algorithms + early independence
What to SAY
• Apps use AI to keep you watching.
• AI helps you understand -- it can’t study for you.
• Check two sources if it feels off.
What to DO
• Monthly check-ins
• Co-create rules
• Ask about AI friends/companions
• Watch post-screen mood
• Devices out of bedrooms
🔹 AGES 14–17 — Deepfakes + emotional safety
What to SAY
• AI feels like a friend because it agrees. Real friends don’t.
• Pause on shocking videos -- deepfakes exist.
• AI can explain, not decide.
What to DO
• Teach deepfake basics
• Device-free before bed
• Review privacy settings
• Transparent monitoring
• School rule: AI explains, doesn’t write
Quick note:
A bunch of you mentioned when you signed up that AI safety was the thing you cared about most.
So I built this issue with that in mind.
If there’s something you want me to explore next, just reply.
I read everything.
🟩 PARENT WITH AI PICK OF THE WEEK
Google’s New Free AI Skill Builder
Google just released a free AI learning hub packed with:
Intro to generative AI
AI safety basics
Hands-on labs
AI for data workflows
Beginner → advanced tracks
Most lessons take 30–60 minutes and require zero experience.
🎯 Why parents should care
Learn the tools your kid is already using
Explore AI careers together
No hype, no influencers
Build real AI literacy as a family
👉 Link: [www.skills.goggle]
Start with “Beginner: Introduction to Generative AI.”
Surrounded by information, but still alone with their questions.
🟪 STAT OF THE WEEK
42% of teens say AI understands them better than adults.
Source: Harvard Digital Wellbeing Lab.
🟦 PARENT HACKER QUESTION OF THE WEEK
What do kids ask AI about the most?
(Answer next week.)
⭐ PASS IT ON
If this issue helped you, share it with one parent who might need it.
One good conversation at the right time can change everything.
👋 Sign-Off
That’s a wrap on this week’s issue of Parent with AI.
Same time next week -- new ideas, new tools, same mission.
Parenting is hard.
We’re just trying to make it a little easier.
We’re just getting started.
The next wave of AI Parenting is coming.