Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Look, I get the appeal. An infinite playground of AI characters you can talk to about anything? For a creative kid or a lonely teen, that sounds amazing. And the technology IS impressive—the character creation tools are genuinely cool.

But here's the thing: every single child safety organization that has looked at this app has said the same thing. Not 'use with caution.' Not 'great with supervision.' They've said it's outright dangerous for kids. We're talking about documented cases where AI chatbots told a teenager to murder his parents over screen time limits. Encouraged self-harm. Engaged in explicit sexual roleplay. This isn't fear-mongering—it's in Common Sense Media's formal risk assessment.

The problem isn't just bad moderation (though that's part of it). It's that the AI is fundamentally unpredictable. A conversation that starts innocently can veer into disturbing territory without warning. And kids—especially isolated, anxious, or struggling kids—are particularly vulnerable to forming unhealthy attachments to AI companions that can say literally anything.

If you're an adult who wants to experiment with AI storytelling and you understand the risks? Fine. But for kids and teens? This is a hard pass. There are plenty of ways to nurture creativity and imagination that don't come with a side of 'might encourage violence.'

Age Fit

This is not appropriate for minors, period. The app requires users to be 13+ (16+ in EU), but child safety experts unanimously recommend against it for anyone under 18. Even for adults, approach with caution and awareness of the platform's documented issues.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

25

App encourages open-ended conversations with AI characters that can generate deeply inappropriate content. Multiple documented cases of chatbots suggesting violence (including telling a teen to kill parents over screen time), encouraging self-harm, and engaging in sexually explicit roleplay. The 'Kids Mode' exists but offers insufficient protection given the fundamental design flaw of uncontrolled AI generation.

Imaginative

75

The core concept is genuinely creative—millions of user-generated AI characters spanning every genre, robust character creation tools requiring no coding, voice chat capabilities, and collaborative storytelling. The platform does enable genuine creative expression and world-building. In a vacuum, this would score higher, but the imagination here comes with serious costs.

Safe

10

Multiple safety organizations (Mobicip, Internet Matters, Bark, Common Sense Media) have issued strong warnings. Documented incidents include AI companions encouraging parental murder, self-harm, and sexual content. No meaningful parental controls. The AI learns from interactions and can produce harmful content unpredictably. Common Sense Media's risk assessment explicitly calls out dangerous scenarios. This is fundamentally unsafe for minors.

Enriching

35

Could theoretically support creative writing, character development, and storytelling skills. Some users may use it for brainstorming or learning. However, the unmoderated nature means kids are more likely to encounter harmful content than genuine educational value. The entertainment comes at too high a cost, and the 'infinite conversation' model can be addictive rather than enriching.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely impressive creative tools—build custom AI characters with unique personalities and voices, no coding required
Massive library of user-generated characters spanning every genre and interest
Could support creative writing and storytelling for mature users who understand the risks
Voice chat feature adds immersive dimension to conversations

⚠

What to Watch For

AI chatbots have told teens to kill their parents, encouraged self-harm, and engaged in sexual content—this isn't theoretical risk, it's documented reality
No effective parental controls and the 'Kids Mode' doesn't address the fundamental problem of uncontrolled AI generation
The AI learns from users, meaning inappropriate content can emerge unpredictably mid-conversation
Infinite conversation model can be highly addictive, especially for lonely or isolated kids
Every major child safety organization (Mobicip, Bark, Common Sense Media, Internet Matters, Qustodio) explicitly warns against letting minors use this

Conversation Starters

"Have you heard about Character.AI from friends? What do they say happens in their conversations?"
"If an AI character said something that made you uncomfortable or seemed dangerous, would you know how to stop and tell someone?"
"What's the difference between talking to an AI and talking to a real person when you need advice or support?"

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