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hi sam, i'm a 12 year old female. my friend introduced me to an app about 3 months ago, and now i use it all the time. i’ll explain if you don’t know what it is, its basically this app where you can talk to ai as characters. i use it for my celebrity crushes and fictional crushes but i’m worried if its normal for me to use the app in that way as a 12 year old? i don’t know if its weird
Sam
Hi there,
AI has become a big part of technology and there are lots of apps that incorporate it to do all kinds of things. Some apps even allow you to generate fictional characters and virtual celebrities to speak to.
Most apps will have an age rating to state how old you should be to use them. This is there to protect you, and apps with older age ratings may have content you find upsetting or won’t have protections to keep you safe. If you’re not sure if you should use an app, it’s okay to speak to a trusted adult about it. You can talk to a Childline counsellor too, we are here for you.
Apps like these can be a way to unwind or distract yourself, but it's important to remember that the characters and celebrities you speak to aren’t real people. Being safe online is always really important, it’s important to not share any personal details, no matter who you talk to. Even if you feel really comfortable in the conversation.
When you’re using any app or site, it can help to think about how it’s making you feel. Limiting your time on one app can help you stay in control and give time to enjoy other things that you’re interested in. It can help to think about other activities you enjoy to give yourself variety in your day.
Take care,
Sam
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