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What should you do if you discover your child has an AI boyfriend or companion?

In this episode, Mandy Majors sits down with nextTalk Operations Manager Merideth Zingelmann to discuss why children are turning to AI for friendship, affirmation, and romantic connection, and how parents can respond without panic or shame.

Instead of dismissing a child’s desire for connection, Mandy and Merideth encourage parents to look beneath the technology and get curious about what their child may be seeking. They explain how AI companions mimic human relationships, provide constant validation, and can gradually earn a child’s trust despite lacking lived experience, genuine love, and spiritual discernment.

Mandy and Merideth also share practical ways to establish healthy boundaries with AI, recognize concerning behavior, and help children understand the difference between artificial validation and authentic relationships.

Guest Bio:

Merideth Zingelmann is the Operations Manager at nextTalk, where she has helped keep the organization’s work moving forward since 2023. A registered nurse and mother of three young adult children, Merideth brings both professional experience and years of practical parenting wisdom to conversations about technology, faith, and family relationships. Before joining nextTalk, she helped operate a small business and served in numerous volunteer and leadership roles with schools, churches, nonprofit organizations, and boards. As a longtime friend and trusted “heads-up mom” to Mandy Majors, Merideth offers thoughtful, experience-based encouragement that helps parents prepare for what may be coming next.

Resources:

• nextTalk Parent Newsletter Sign-Up: nextTalk
• Submit a Question to nextTalk: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/6tF2TMSckiBWUXmBqaipig
• Contact nextTalk: admin@nextTalk.org
• AI, Deepfakes & Nudes - nextTalk
• AI and your Kid - nextTalk
• How To Help Kids Navigate Risky Friendships - nextTalk
• Build a Safe Place - nextTalk
• Support nextTalk: https://nexttalk.org/donate/

Connect with The nextTalk Parent Podcast:

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