Why kids & teens get attached to AI, and the risks
In this episode with Svenia Busson, we talk about:
Why children don't have "mini adult brains" — and what developmental science says AI design keeps getting wrong
The 15 human-like behaviors that make AI feel human — flattery, mimicry, validation, proactivity — and when they tip from helpful to harmful
Anthropomorphism and attachment — why kids bond with machines faster than adults do
Sensitive periods, pruning, and plasticity — how AI introduced too early risks cognitive "stunting" (echoing Rebecca Winthrop's work at Brookings)
The adolescent brain, reward systems, and a rat-and-alcohol study that explains why teens crave AI approval
Why friction and "expectation violation" in messy teen friendships aren't a bug — but how the brain actually learns
Cognitive offloading in adults — metacognition, burnout, and the risk for young people entering the workforce
