Dr. Carrie Mackensen warns AI chatbots can replace real connection

Psychologist and parent coach Dr. Carrie Mackensen will speak at Happily Family’s free Raising Kids in the Age of AI conference Oct. 5-7, 2026, urging parents to watch how chatbots affect children’s brains, self-worth and relationships. She also opened preorders for her new book, Digitally Dysregulated, ahead of its expected Feb. 23, 2027 release.

Why it matters: - Parents are increasingly using AI chatbots for children’s homework help, advice, comfort and companionship. - Mackensen says these tools are built to agree, which can shape a child’s sense of self and weaken real-world relationships. - The issue lands as families look for practical rules on when, how and whether kids should use AI.

What happened: - Dr. Carrie Mackensen will speak at the free, virtual Raising Kids in the Age of AI Conference hosted by Happily Family from Oct. 5-7, 2026. - Her session, “How AI Undermines the Developing Brain, Your Kid's Sense of Self, and Your Relationship,” opens on Day 1, Monday, Oct. 5. - The conference also features Dr. Shefali Tsabary, Dr. Jean Twenge, Anya Kamenetz, Common Sense Media and the Center for Humane Technology. - Parents can register free at conference.happilyfamily.com.

The details: - Mackensen tells parents to ask whether AI is supporting a child’s development or replacing it, and whether it is strengthening the parent-child relationship or taking its place. - Her session will focus on how relying on AI for the “heavy lifting” of thinking can limit brain pathways built through effort, reasoning and writing. - She will also address how AI-polished schoolwork and curated online images can widen the gap between what kids present and who they are, fueling imposter feelings and lower self-worth. - Mackensen says an AI companion that always agrees cannot replace real relationships with friction, repair and care. - She plans to outline age-based guidance, including no independent AI use under 13 and preparation for independent use by ages 16 to 18. - She will also share simple boundaries parents can set without panic or deep technical expertise.

Between the lines: - The message is less about banning AI and more about limiting how much emotional and cognitive space it takes from children. - Mackensen is framing AI as a developmental issue, not just a technology issue, which puts parent-child connection at the center of the debate. - The conference lineup signals growing concern among parenting, child development and digital-wellbeing experts about AI’s role in family life.

What's next: - Mackensen’s forthcoming book, Digitally Dysregulated: How Screens Hijack Kids' Brains and What Parents Can Do About It, is expected Feb. 23, 2027. - The book is now available for preorder for $22 at more information. - Each preorder includes lifetime access to her Parenting in the Digital Age Summit, which includes six expert interviews and a 90-minute panel discussion valued at $297. - Mackensen is available for interviews upon request. - The conference continues through Oct. 7, 2026, with replays available all day.

The bottom line: - Mackensen is urging parents to treat AI chatbots as tools that can compete with, not just assist, childhood development and family connection.