Is Your Teen Confiding in AI Instead of You? The Truth About Teens Using ChatGPT

Source:
https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-iaycn-...

Generative AI like ChatGPT is now woven into nearly every part of teen life, and many parents feel unsettled by how fast it all happened. Are teens using AI tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to learn, to cheat, or something in between? Are they turning to AI for emotional support? And what should parents actually be worried about versus reacting out of fear?
In this episode, Dr. Cam pulls back the curtain on how teens are really using generative AI. You will hear what teens told researchers directly, what surprised even the experts, and why most parents are focusing on the wrong risks.
Dr. Cam is joined by Alanna Powers-O’Brien, Research and Program Specialist at the Family Online Safety Institute and co-author of the national report Generative AI in Uncertain Times: How Teens Are Navigating a New Digital Frontier. Together, they break down what teen AI use looks like in real life, why many teens do not want to cheat, why 42% are using AI to talk through emotions, and what teens wish parents understood before reacting.
 
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE
 


How teens are actually using ChatGPT and generative AI tools for school, learning, and everyday problem-solving


Why many teens feel genuinely confused about what counts as cheating with AI


The real reasons teens turn to AI for emotional support and what it does and does not replace


Teens’ top concern about AI use and why it is not what most parents assume


 
Want support navigating tech, AI, and tough conversations with your teen?
The Parenting Teens Academy gives you practical scripts, science-backed tools, and clear guidance to help you stay calm, confident, and connected, even when parenting feels overwhelming.👉 Learn more at AskDrCam.com
 
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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE


Generative AI in Uncertain Times: How Teens Are Navigating a New Digital Frontierhttps://www.fosi.org/research


Family Online Safety Institutehttps://www.fosi.org


 
CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Alanna Powers-O’Brien
Organization: Family Online Safety InstituteWebsite: https://www.fosi.org
 
CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell
Website: https://www.askdrcam.comInstagram: @DrCamCaswellTikTok: @the.teen.translatorYouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. CamFacebook: @DrCamCaswell
 
EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Teens and Generative AI Explained01:03 Inside the Research on Teen AI Use02:40 How Teens Use ChatGPT and AI Tools05:22 AI and Cheating Concerns08:22 Ethical Gray Areas Parents Should Understand10:13 Teens’ Fears About Losing Critical Thinking Skills12:05 AI and the Future Job Market12:59 Why Teens Talk to AI About Their Feelings15:59 Why AI Feels Human to Teens17:16 Data Privacy and Safety Concerns18:40 Why AI Is So Appealing to Teens20:52 AI Dependency and Social Connection24:16 Accessibility and Emotional Support25:54 What Teens Wish Parents Knew27:56 Practical Advice for Parents 
 
ABOUT THE SHOW
The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers in today’s world. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, the show delivers real-world strategies, expert insight, and practical tools to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen.
Each episode helps parents respond with confidence, reduce power struggles, and support teens’ emotional growth without shame or fear-based parenting.
👉 Learn more and explore resources at https://www.askdrcam.com/parenting-te...
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