Replika: AI chatbot raising concerns for parents (with Adam Billen)

Are you concerned about your child using AI chatbots? Research shows that face-to-face connection is vital for healthy brain development and mental well-being, yet companion bots continue to draw users deeper into a virtual reality. We recently covered the dangers of Character.ai, but there’s another troubling app on our radar: Replika. 

Marketed as an “AI companion who cares” and “is always on your side,” Replika uses deceptive tactics to target vulnerable people, such as those going through a breakup. Their claim to cure loneliness is misleading at best, and potentially harmful at worst. 

Like many apps, Replika thrives on user engagement - employing addictive strategies that fuel emotional dependence on the chatbot. And a premium subscription offers access to more intimate conversations and near-explicit content. 

Adam Billen ofEncode, a tech ethics organization, joins Nicki of Scrolling 2 Death to share why he filed an FTC complaint against Replika and why parents need to be aware of the risks these platforms pose. Tune in to learn more.