Kids are not just asking artificial intelligence (AI) for homework help anymore, they are building emotional bonds with chatbots. But according to a new report, those conversations are taking a disturbing turn toward violence and even sexual themes.

Aura, a digital security company that tracks youth online behavior, found that nearly half of the minors using AI are engaging in role-play style conversations that get alarmingly dark. 

The findings come from Aura’s 2025 State of the Youth report, which is based on three data sources: device-level data from over 3,000 children aged 5 to 17, the ongoing TECHWISE study following more than 500 kids and their caregivers; and a national Talker Research survey of 2,000 U.S. parents and children conducted in November 2025.

The company discovered that 42 percent of minors who use AI do so for companionship or role-playing rather than educational purposes. Of that group, 37 percent have engaged in violent scenarios involving physical harm, coercion, or nonconsensual acts. Even more troubling, half of those violent conversations included sexual violence.

The trend peaks at age 11, when 44 percent of AI chat conversations turn violent, the highest among all age groups. 

By 13, romantic and sexual role-play takes over, appearing in about 63 percent of chats with AI companions. Interest in these themes fades after age 15. By 16, nearly one in five conversations shift toward seeking emotional support instead of violence or romance.

Nine in 10 parents say they argue with their kids over device use, more often than about chores or homework. Taking a device away rarely solves the problem, with 59 percent of parents reporting that it usually sparks an argument. At the same time, 57 percent of parents admit they use their own phones more than their children, even while enforcing tech limits at home.

Kids report similar frustrations. Technology is the top source of conflict with parents. Losing a device leaves 56 percent feeling frustrated and 50 percent feeling annoyed, while only 16 percent say it actually helps. 62 percent of kids say they wish they could take away their parents’ phones instead.

Both parents and children agree on the triggers for these fights: too much screen time, phone use at bedtime, gaming, using devices during meals or family time, social media, and exposure to inappropriate content. 

With AI use largely unregulated, experts stress that parental vigilance remains the first line of defense. 

“We have a pretty big issue on our hands that I think we don’t fully understand the scope of, both in terms of just the volume, the number of platforms, that kids are getting involved in — and also, obviously, the content,” Dr. Scott Kollins, a clinical psychologist and Aura’s chief medical officer, told Futurism.

“These things are commanding so much more of our kids’ attention than I think we realize or recognize,” Kollins added. “We need to monitor and be aware of this.”

Aura notes that navigating digital life is an ongoing challenge for families and emphasizes that understanding today’s youth requires open conversations, clear boundaries, and fostering healthier digital habits for both parents and children.