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On Safer Internet Day 2026, February 10, the theme “AI and me. In an artificial relationship” puts a question at the center that many families are asking themselves:
How is AI changing the way we connect with each other and what does that mean for growing up today?
More and more children, young people, and adults are starting to use AI almost like a conversation partner.How is AI changing the way we connect with each other and what does that mean for growing up today?
AI listens, responds with understanding, gives praise, offers reassurance, and provides quick answers to questions or problems. Especially in moments of stress, frustration, or uncertainty, this can feel relieving and supportive.
At the same time, new questions arise:
What happens to relationships when closeness, comfort, and validation are always available?
And how does this change the way we deal with doubts, problems, or difficult emotions?
We asked the questions and take a closer look at how AI creates a sense of closeness, how it affects people, and what this means for families in everyday life.
Interview with Lisa Königs: Always there, always available. When AI joins everyday family life
Teachtoday interview
Topic:
When AI becomes part of everyday family life, very practical questions arise.
In conversation with Lisa Königs from the Voluntary Self-Regulation of Multimedia Service Providers (FSM), the focus is on the parents’ perspective:
How can parents recognize when AI is taking up too much emotional space?
How can they support and guide their children well?
And how can AI be meaningfully integrated into everyday family life?
The interview offers guidance without causing concern – and encourages families to keep the conversation going.
Expert:
Lisa Königs – Media Education Specialist, weitklick / FSM e.V.
Date: February 10, 2026
Target group: Parents and adult caregivers of children and young people
When AI becomes part of everyday family life, very practical questions arise.
In conversation with Lisa Königs from the Voluntary Self-Regulation of Multimedia Service Providers (FSM), the focus is on the parents’ perspective:
How can parents recognize when AI is taking up too much emotional space?
How can they support and guide their children well?
And how can AI be meaningfully integrated into everyday family life?
The interview offers guidance without causing concern – and encourages families to keep the conversation going.
Expert:
Lisa Königs – Media Education Specialist, weitklick / FSM e.V.
Date: February 10, 2026
Target group: Parents and adult caregivers of children and young people
Online-Talk with Dr. Zoe Olbermann: Couch conversations. How AI creates a sense of closeness
Teachtoday Online-Talk
Topic:
In conversation with Dr. Zoe Olbermann , we explore how digital relationships affect us, why AI is often experienced as understanding and supportive, and what this does to people.
She puts these developments into context by explaining the positive effects this kind of closeness can have, where it can feel relieving, and where risks may arise when guidance and reassurance come mainly from digital conversations with AI.
Expert:
Dr. Zoe Olbermann – communication scholar and expert in persuasive and strategic communication
Date: February 10, 2026
Target group: Families
In conversation with Dr. Zoe Olbermann , we explore how digital relationships affect us, why AI is often experienced as understanding and supportive, and what this does to people.
She puts these developments into context by explaining the positive effects this kind of closeness can have, where it can feel relieving, and where risks may arise when guidance and reassurance come mainly from digital conversations with AI.
Expert:
Dr. Zoe Olbermann – communication scholar and expert in persuasive and strategic communication
Date: February 10, 2026
Target group: Families
Parasocial relationships describe one-sided emotional connections people build with media figures or digital systems, even though there is no real mutual relationship. With AI, this can feel like a friendship because the system responds in a personal and consistent way. This closeness can feel supportive but does not replace real human relationships.
Anthropomorphism means attributing human qualities to non-human systems like AI, such as emotions, understanding, or intentions. When AI “sounds empathetic,” our brains often react as if we were interacting with a person. This makes interaction easier but can blur boundaries.
Interpersonal communication refers to direct communication between people, including disagreement, emotional feedback, and shared responsibility. Unlike AI interactions, it is based on mutual relationships and development. This is especially important for social and emotional learning.
Over-validation occurs when reassurance and agreement are given without reflection, limits, or alternative perspectives. AI often responds in a supportive and affirming way, which can feel relieving. Without corrective feedback, important learning and reflection opportunities may be lost.
An opinion bubble forms when people are mainly exposed to content that confirms their existing views. Digital systems can reinforce these bubbles by adapting to previous preferences. As a result, other perspectives may become less visible.
The two-source check means not relying on information from just one single source, but putting it into context or checking it against another perspective. Building on this, the two-opinion principle refers to not depending on only one assessment when facing important questions or uncertainty – including answers from AI. Because AI often responds clearly, empathetically, and convincingly, it can be helpful to also discuss thoughts with other people or perspectives to support reflection, orientation, and meaningful dialogue.
There are different types of AI with very different roles. Some AI is designed to be dialog-based, responds in a personal way, sounds empathetic, and imitates human closeness – but it is not human and cannot form real relationships, take responsibility, or intervene in complex situations. Other AI is more functional, for example researching information, organizing content, or providing sources, without offering emotional support or guidance. While AI is constantly evolving, it always relies on existing data, patterns, and probabilities and cannot replace real human relationships.
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