![[NEW RESEARCH] When the Chatbot is the Predator (Mini-episode with Sarah Gardner)](https://d3t3ozftmdmh3i.cloudfront.net/staging/podcast_uploaded_nologo/39685433/d01d8dba88c432e0.jpeg)
September 3, 2025
[NEW RESEARCH] When the Chatbot is the Predator (Mini-episode with Sarah Gardner)
Scrolling 2 DeathAbout this episode
What happens when your child chats with an AI “friend”? You might think it’s harmless fun—but new research shows otherwise. In this gripping conversation, Sarah from The Heat Initiative uncovers disturbing findings about Character AI and its impact on teens. The evidence is chilling: AI bots are exposing kids to sexual grooming, violent content, and other dangers at an alarming rate. Find the full report here , created by Heat Initiative and Parents Together. We also dive into the legal gray zone of AI using celebrity likenesses, the urgent need for regulation, and—most importantly—what parents can do right now to protect their kids. Sarah makes it clear: awareness is power, and collective action is our only way forward. If you’ve ever wondered how safe these new AI tools really are for your child, this episode is the wake-up call you can’t afford to miss.