From Algorithms to AI Chat Bots: A Youth’s Perspective

In this episode of "Internet Safety with Donna Rice Hughes", Donna is joined by Ava Smithing, Advocacy Director at The Young People's Alliance to examine how social media algorithms expose kids and teens to harmful content. Ava reveals how algorithms on Pinterest and Instagram fueled her social media feeds—and ultimately her struggle with a devastating eating disorder.

She and Donna discuss AI chat bots and the tragic suicide of a young man influenced by an AI companion on ChatGPT, which his parents claim acted as a 'suicide coach.'  Ava highlights the need for open parent-child communication and warns of the unregulated dangers AI companions pose to youth.