Unpacking the Threat of Chatbots (with Adam Dodge)

We asked digital safety advocate Adam Dodge which social media app is safest for kids. Sadly, his answer was none. He goes further to say, “While I can’t recommend one, I can recommend the one to stay away from: Snapchat.” Not surprised.  However, an alarming new social trend worries him even more - chatbots.

Research shows kids spend more time on Character AI than TikTok. Why? Companion bots, like Character AI, are more addictive than social media because they simulate real human relationships without the potential for conflict. They offer 24/7 validation - a “friend” who is always there to support, entertain and agree with you. It’s nice in theory but harmful in practice.

Companion bots are poised to have the most disruptive technological impact on healthy relationships and violence prevention. And the Large Language Models (AI) powering them can be unpredictable and misunderstood – even by the data scientists who built them. Tune in as Adam Dodge, Founder of EndTAB, and Nicki of Scrolling 2 Death discuss their research on chatbots and why parents should take an intentional approach to educating themselves and preparing their children for a healthier relationship with social media.

Adam is a digital safety advocate, attorney and speaker who believes you do not have to be a tech expert to protect yourself or others in the digital age.  As the founder of EndTAB, he has trained hundreds of organizations to address tech-facilitated abuse and improve the safety and wellbeing of people online. Adam advises the White House Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse, sits on the World Economic Forum's Digital Justice Advisory Committee and is a special advisor to the Coalition Against Stalkerware. His work and expertise has been featured on NBC, CBS and NPR and in Time Magazine, Rolling Stone, the New York Times, Vogue, Wired, GQ and others. 

This episode is sponsored by Bark Technologies.

Learn about the Bark Phone: https://info.bark.us/scrolling2deathbp  
Learn about the Bark App for iPhones and Androids. https://info.bark.us/scrolling2death_bark 
*Use code SCROLLING2DEATH FOR 10% OFF
Learn about the Bark Watch: https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/5214646/2204011/17000