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Less than a few hours after Snapchat launched its My AI chatbot to all users last week, Lyndsi Lee, a Missouri mother, immediately cautioned her 13-year-old daughter to steer clear. Lee, who works at a software company, said she needs time to set healthy boundaries before she’s comfortable with her daughter using the tool.
“My AI” leverages ChatGPT’s generative AI technology to chat, answer questions, and join conversations. However, unlike the standalone ChatGPT website, Snapchat’s integration allows users to customize the chatbot’s name and appearance, making it feel more personal and harder for kids to distinguish it from real friends.
“I’m not prepared to teach my kid how to emotionally separate humans and machines,” Lee said. “I think Snapchat has crossed a line.”
Snapchat has faced intense backlash from parents, lawmakers, and its own users. The chatbot’s rollout has triggered negative reviews and “creepy” experiences, with some users paying for the premium Snapchat+ subscription just to remove it. Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet has also raised concerns that the AI can give kids harmful advice, such as how to lie to their parents.
Snapchat says it’s listening to community feedback and working on stronger safeguards. But the controversy highlights the challenges of integrating generative AI into social platforms that are heavily used by teens. Clinical psychologists and tech ethicists warn that chatbots can blur the lines between real friends and algorithms, potentially harming young users’ mental health.
“Parents need to remind their kids: chatbots aren’t your friend or therapist,” said Sinead Bovell, founder of WAYE. “It’s critical to set boundaries and educate them about the risks.”
