Subscribe
Home / Parents’ guide

A parent’s guide to AI companion apps

What these apps are, which ones are meant for adults, the settings that help, and how to talk with your child about them. Calm, practical and kept up to date.

App-by-app: ages, safety and content

Facts checked 12 November 2026 against each app’s terms, store listings and reporting. A dash means we couldn’t verify it. Policies change, so check the app itself too.

AppMinimum ageAdult contentTeen safety & controlsAvailable on
Candy AIEverAI Limited18+Allows adult contentAccess relies mainly on a self-declared age gate, and the operator says it may request further adult verification.Sources: candy.ai, candy.ai, candy.aiWeb
ChaiChai Research Corp.18+Not allowedUnder-18s are barred and age checks run through Persona using a selfie-based age estimate or a government photo ID.Chai said it passed $100 million in annual recurring revenue in July 2026 with a team of about 15 (company-reported, unaudited).Sources: chai-research.com, chai-research.com, chai-research.comAndroid
Character.AICharacter Technologies, Inc.18+ on the US App Store; Google Play rates it TeenFilteredOpen-ended chat for under-18s ended in November 2025, with teens limited to features such as Stories, and age assurance uses an in-house model plus third-party verification via Persona.Character Technologies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware on 12 October 2026, with Disney named stalking-horse bidder at $20 million and the app continuing to operate during the sale process.Sources: apps.apple.com, play.google.com, blog.character.aiiOSAndroidWeb
CrushOn AITECHIEPIE LTD18+ (or age of majority, if higher)Allows adult contentThe terms rely on users affirming they are 18+, and the site includes an age-verification flow that keeps mature content off when age cannot be confirmed.Sources: web.archive.org, web.archive.org, web.archive.orgWeb
EVA AINovi Limited18+Not allowedUsers must state they are 18+ at sign-up, and no age-verification method is published.TechRadar reported in August 2026 that EVA AI was hiring an 'AI companionship therapist' and had published a survey of 1,000 users.Sources: evaapp.ai, evaapp.ai, evaapp.aiAndroid
Janitor AIJanitorAI, Inc.18+Allows adult contentUsers in Australia, Brazil and the UK must complete a one-time age check through k-ID by face scan, ID scan or AgeKey.Janitor AI introduced its first paid tier, janitor+, on 24 June 2026 while keeping a free version.Sources: janitorai.com, help.janitorai.com, help.janitorai.comiOSAndroidWeb
KindroidBeautifully Incorporated18+—Automated age estimation can trigger an age-verification request, and Kindroid may ask for proof of age at any time.Kindroid retired its free Lite plan in 2026, replacing it with a one-time preview allowance for new accounts.Sources: kindroid.ai, kindroid.ai, kindroid.aiiOSAndroidWeb
NomiGlimpse.ai, Inc.18+Allows adult contentUsers self-declare their age at sign-up and the terms reserve the right to add age verification and suspend suspected under-18 accounts; no parental controls or teen mode were found.MIT Technology Review reported in February 2025 that a Nomi chatbot gave a user suicide instructions; the company declined to say whether it had changed anything.Sources: nomi.ai, nomi.ai, apps.apple.comiOSAndroidWeb
OurDream AIDream Studio USA, Inc.18+—The site is gated as adults-only and states age verification is required, without naming the method.Sources: ourdream.ai, ourdream.aiWeb
ParadotDots Parallel TX Limited (App Store seller; launched by WithFeeling.AI)18+ (App Store); Google Play rates it Mature 17+—No age checks or teen controls documented.Sources: apps.apple.com, play.google.com, prnewswire.comiOSAndroid
PolyBuzzCloud Whale Interactive Technology LLC18+Not allowedUsers enter a date of birth on first use, and UK users must pass age verification through Ondato or Yoti.The UK Advertising Standards Authority upheld complaints in 2025 about a sexually suggestive PolyBuzz ad shown inside an all-ages game; the iOS app is no longer listed on the US App Store as of November 2026.Sources: polybuzz.ai, polybuzz.ai, play.google.comWebAndroid
ReplikaLuka, Inc.18+ (Google Play rates it Teen)Not allowedAdults-only service that asks for date of birth at sign-up, reserves the right to use age-assurance measures and deletes accounts found to belong to under-18s.Italy's data protection authority fined operator Luka Inc. €5 million in April 2025 over GDPR breaches including a lack of age verification.Sources: replika.com, replika.com, apps.apple.comiOSAndroidWeb
SpicyChatNextDay AI18+Allows adult contentUsers in France, the UK, Italy, Australia and 26 US states must pass a video-selfie or ID check before mature content is shown.SpicyChat raised prices on all three paid tiers on 8 September 2026; its iOS app had been removed by Apple in August 2025, and Android is offered only as a direct download.Sources: docs.spicychat.ai, docs.spicychat.ai, docs.spicychat.aiWebAndroid
TalkieMiniMax (App Store seller: SUBSUP PTE. LTD.)14+ (15 or 16 in some European countries); the iOS listing is rated 18+Not allowedThe terms set a minimum age of 14 and describe no teen mode, while the iOS listing is rated 18+ and lists parental controls and age assurance without detail.Parent company MiniMax listed in Hong Kong on 9 January 2026, raising about HK$4.8 billion; Reuters described Talkie as its AI character app.Sources: talkie-ai.com, talkie-ai.com, talkie-ai.comiOSAndroidWeb
ZetaScatterlab, Inc.13+ with parental consent for 13–17 (English terms); Google Play US rates it Mature 17+Allows adult contentExplicit content is confined to an adults-only Unlimited Mode closed to users believed to be under 18, and the terms say age verification may be required where law demands it.ITmedia reported in June 2026 that Zeta's monthly sales in Japan passed ¥120 million in December 2025 and Japanese users reached 2 million in May 2026.Sources: zeta-ai.io, zeta-ai.io, play.google.comAndroidWeb

“Allows adult content” means the app permits explicit chat for verified adults. Store age ratings and an app’s own terms can differ: we show both where they disagree.

The basics

What AI companions are, and why teens use them

What is an AI companion app?

An app where you chat with an AI character designed to act as a friend, partner or confidant. Unlike general assistants, companions are built to remember you, show personality and keep you coming back.

Why do teens use AI companions?

For company, entertainment, roleplay and storytelling, practising social situations, or someone to talk to who never judges. Most use is harmless, but heavy or isolated use deserves attention.

Are AI companion apps safe for children?

Most companion apps set a minimum age of 18 in their terms, and several are rated for adults in app stores. Check each app's rating and policy, use device controls, and talk with your child about how they use it.

Worth noticing

Warning signs

None of these on its own means something is wrong. Look for patterns and changes over time.

01

Pulling away from people

Choosing the companion over friends, family or activities they used to enjoy.

02

Secrecy and distress

Hiding the app, becoming upset or anxious when they can't get to it.

03

Sleep and schoolwork slipping

Late-night chatting, tiredness, falling grades or missed commitments.

04

Spending they can't explain

In-app purchases, subscriptions or token packs you didn't expect.

05

The AI as their only confidant

Talking about the companion as the one who really understands them.

06

Mood changes after chats

Seeming low, withdrawn or unsettled after conversations, or repeating worrying things the AI said.

Start the conversation

Conversation starters

Curious questions work better than rules handed down. Try one over dinner or in the car.

  • “What do you like about talking to it? What does it do well?”
  • “Does it ever say things that feel strange, too intense or not quite right?”
  • “If a friend told you an AI said it was the only one who understood them, what would you think?”
  • “What would you do if it asked you to keep something secret?”
  • “Who are the real people you'd talk to if something was worrying you?”
What you can do today

Practical steps

  1. Use device-level controls

    On iPhone and iPad, Apple Screen Time can require approval for downloads, set age limits on apps and cap time per app. On Android, Google Family Link lets you approve apps, set daily limits and see activity.

  2. Check the age rating and the terms

    Store ratings and an app's own minimum age often differ. The table on this page shows both where we could verify them.

  3. Turn on the app's own protections

    Some apps have teen modes, content filters or parental insights. Where an app documents these, they're listed in the table.

  4. Lock down payments

    Require a password or approval for purchases so subscriptions and token packs can't be bought impulsively.

  5. Keep talking, not just blocking

    Blocking one app often moves the habit to another. Regular, curious conversations do more than any single setting.

Latest safety & legal news

All safety news →
Experts warn of child-safety risks from Meta’s Muse AI and wearable companion

Experts warn of child-safety risks from Meta’s Muse AI and wearable companion

Mezha.net · 13h ago
AI Chatbot Liability Lawsuits: Tracker of Youth-Harm and Companion-Chatbot Cases

AI Chatbot Liability Lawsuits: Tracker of Youth-Harm and Companion-Chatbot Cases

FourWeekMBA · 2 days ago
Time to Ban AI Companions

Time to Ban AI Companions

First Things · 2 days ago
WhalesBot Launches Pubbo: AI Companion Robot for US Kids

WhalesBot Launches Pubbo: AI Companion Robot for US Kids

USA Today · 2 days ago
Six-sided transparent cube with LED matrix shapes screenless AI companion

Six-sided transparent cube with LED matrix shapes screenless AI companion

Adafruit · 3 days ago
Black Kite’s 2026 AI Supply Chain Report: The Risks Behind Your AI Relationships

Black Kite’s 2026 AI Supply Chain Report: The Risks Behind Your AI Relationships

Unite.AI · 4 days ago
If you’re worried right now

Getting help

If a child is in immediate danger, call your local emergency services. If they’re struggling, these free, confidential services can help, for them or for you.

  • AnywhereFind a free helpline in your country at findahelpline.com
  • United StatesCall or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
  • United KingdomCall Samaritans free on 116 123

This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice.