AI and children's mental health

[Nate Thoma]

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing because I have become aware of a new threat to children's mental health: AI “companion” chatbots designed to form emotional dependence. 

If social media hacked attention, these products aim to hack attachment—and children are most vulnerable, with some of these products targeting children as young as two. 

I and my collaborator, Dr. Mandy McLean, are circulating an Open Letter to Congress calling for regulation, trying to get as many signatures as we can to make our voice heard. 

Join 950+ signatories, including leading mental-health experts such as Angela Duckworth, Jean Twenge, Edna Foa, Nancy McWilliams, Frank Yeomans, Diana Fosha, Robert Leahy, Lata McGinn, Steven Hollon, Allen Frances, Richard Friedman, Mitch Prinstein (outgoing Chief of Psychology for the APA) and many more. 

Our letter has also been endorsed by Common Sense Media, the Center for Humane Technology, and the Psychotherapy Action Network.

Read and please sign here: openletter-aicompanions.org

Note: We are at ~950 signatures and we are very close to our goal of reaching 1000 before taking our letter to congress. Please sign now to help us get there in this final push!!

Thank you!!

Nate

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Nathan Thoma, PhD
Clinical Associate Professor of Psychology
Weill Cornell Medical College

Diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy

Past President, NYC-CBT Association

211 East 43rd St., Suite 1102

New York NY, 10017

347-778-1801
www.nathanthomaphd.com