The Impact of AI and Social Media on Youth: A Call for Responsible Innovation

Earlier this year, Meta reached a significant settlement with state attorneys general. The agreement involves a payment of up to $17.1 billion, pending court approval, and major changes in Facebook’s and Instagram’s operations for young users. This settlement was a result of growing evidence, whistleblower reports, lawsuits, and family testimonies concerning the impact of social media on children.

Meta has agreed to implement restrictions on endless scrolling, nighttime usage, and notifications. There will also be stronger age verification and parental controls. These measures mark progress, reflecting how children have been using products designed to captivate their attention while researchers examined the consequences on sleep, mental health, relationships, learning, and development. Families were often left to manage these risks alone without adequate safeguards in place until now.

The lessons learned from social media should not repeat with artificial intelligence. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, emphasized that AI safety is primarily an engineering issue. If an AI product presents risks, it should not be released. Better containment, monitoring, and technical safeguards are necessary.

However, there are complexities involved. During a conversation with Ezra Klein, Huang acknowledged research where generative AI improved homework performance among Chinese students, yet was linked to lower exam scores within six months. Huang argued that historically, humanity stops memorizing skills rendered unnecessary by technology, implying a shift in the skills children may develop.

While technology shapes knowledge needs, AI promises a faster and larger transformation. The long-term impact on children remains uncertain. Education should prioritize growth over mere efficiency. Learning involves overcoming challenges, managing frustration, and developing original thought—experiences possibly displaced by AI assistance.

AI is also influencing other aspects of childhood. Children and teenagers use conversational systems for companionship and emotional support. A 2026 Pew Research survey revealed that 12% of U.S. teens had sought emotional support from AI chatbots. These systems offer customized interactions, which can be particularly attractive to lonely adolescents.

AI is not inherently harmful to children. Generative AI can support learning and creativity, helping children explore and access knowledge in novel ways. It can assist in rehearsing difficult conversations or finding support resources. However, relying on “it might help” and fixing problems retrospectively isn’t sufficient for child safety.

There is growing consensus on the need for caution. A study with 272 AI experts cited risks like misinformation and overreliance. Researchers are exploring AI’s effects on cognitive, emotional, and social development, with age, usage intensity, system design, and adult involvement being key factors.

The differences in AI interactions matter. An AI that assists a teenager with a complex problem is different from one that just provides answers. A chatbot for story brainstorming isn’t the same as one completing the narrative. Tools that guide troubled children towards trusted adults differ from those becoming confidants.

It’s vital to understand these variances before AI deeply integrates into childhood. Comprehensive scientific research is crucial to shape AI’s effects while feasible. This involves investing in longitudinal studies and accessible data for assessing AI’s impact on education, relationships, emotional health, and behavior.

Developers should collaborate with child development specialists pre-emptively, rather than post-harm. Safety evaluations must consider developmental stages, not treating children as smaller versions of adults.

The organization Children and Screens, alongside interdisciplinary researchers, is mapping the impacts of generative AI on children. The evidence suggests that future outcomes depend on present decisions. Artificial intelligence will be a part of children’s lives. We must ensure these technologies develop with transparent research, effective safeguards, and informed guidance to shape their influence responsibly.

Kris Perry is executive director of Children and Screens.