Concerns about children’s use of social media and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have intensified among parents worldwide, amid growing skepticism toward tech companies’ practices and the potential impacts on young users. In recent years, social media platforms like Meta have faced accusations of designing addictive products that target younger audiences, while AI developers such as OpenAI contend with lawsuits alleging insufficient safety measures in chatbots such as ChatGPT. Workers within leading AI firms have also raised alarms, warning that competitive pressures often take precedence over user safety.
Despite reassurances from companies about enhanced protective features, including parent-linked teen accounts, many parents report a shift toward restricting or discouraging their children’s engagement with these digital tools. A series of interviews with parents from different regions reveal a spectrum of concerns shaping these views.
Caroline Gray Ford, a 42-year-old artist and advocate from Cambridge, United Kingdom, described her family’s collective decision to delay her daughter’s introduction to social media. Citing distrust in technology firms’ profit motives and data collection practices, she emphasized the importance of protecting children from platforms that exploit their time and attention. “Most of my parent friends agree that collective action is the best way forward,” Ford said, noting efforts among families to postpone smartphone and social media access.
Similarly, Kate, a Philadelphia-based mother and eco-conscious family advocate, limits her 11-year-old daughter’s use of AI tools and prohibits solitary social media use. She highlighted environmental concerns related to AI’s substantial energy consumption and encourages critical evaluation of AI-generated content within her household.
Parents working in or around the tech industry also voice nuanced positions. Andy, a 43-year-old AI professional from London, expressed conflict between his involvement in technology development and worries about its long-term effects on future generations. While advocating limited social media use, he allows his children controlled access to communication platforms such as WhatsApp to maintain real-world connections.
An anonymous parent from the Scottish Borders, who works in AI, raised skepticism about the early introduction of such technologies in educational settings, often without sufficient parental involvement or consideration of developmental risks. The parent called for stronger school responsibility to provide digital literacy and to foster critical thinking rather than merely handing children new devices or apps.
Frustrations with government responses to these challenges were also evident. One parent in Kent, UK, who remains unnamed, expressed anger at what they perceive as inadequate regulatory action to protect children from mental health risks linked to social media and AI. This individual is pursuing stricter household restrictions and active campaigning to raise awareness.
Concerns extend beyond social media to encompass gaming and digital interaction more broadly. A parent in Madrid described their 12-year-old son’s struggle with impulse control and digital overexposure, particularly regarding social media, gaming, and associated online communities. They noted the difficulties of managing screen time amid minimal regulatory guardrails, underscoring the stresses this places on family dynamics.
Across these varied perspectives, a common theme is the desire to shield children from potentially harmful digital environments while confronting the pervasive role of technology in modern life. Many parents emphasize the need for greater collective action, better education on technology use, and more effective oversight to address these challenges comprehensively.