AI chatbots that let users build personalized, ongoing relationships with digital companions are raising serious alarms for parents and guardians. These platforms blur the line between entertainment and attachment, creating evolving bonds that feel increasingly real. For families trying to keep kids safe online, this represents a fresh challenge: how do you protect children from dependencies on AI relationships when the technology is specifically designed to feel intimate and individualized? It's not just about blocking access—it's about understanding what these interactions actually do to young minds.