The longer story
AI companion apps present a character that remembers your child, replies warmly, and is available at any hour. That design is deliberate, and it is what makes them different from a search engine or a homework helper. Some children find them a low-pressure place to rehearse a difficult conversation. Others form an attachment that quietly displaces time with friends, or share things they would never tell a person. Safeguards vary a great deal between apps, and moderation of romantic or distressing content is inconsistent. If your child uses one, it is worth knowing which app it is and talking openly about the fact that it is a product rather than a person.