Behind the Screen: The Impact of AI Companions on Adolescents Evaluation and Credit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/medchat84 Target Audience This activity is targeted toward primary care physicians and advanced providers. Statement of Need This will be a two-part podcast that will focus on the psychological effects of cyberbullying and AI companions. This will be specific to adolescents and teens. As a result of the growing prevalence in digital engagement, a by-product has been cyberbullying. The psychological effects of cyberbullying are unique in that they differ from traditional bullying due to the anonymity and permanence. Additionally, with the growing popularity of AI companions a second podcast will address this topic. Both podcasts will address the psychological effects and provide tools for providers to use to screen for subtle signs as well as resources. Objectives Define what constitutes an AI companion and differentiate from interactive AI-enabled toys. Discuss how frequent interaction with AI companions can influence psychological and social development of adolescents and teens. Identify behavioral and psychological signs that may indicate an adolescent/teen has or is developing an unhealthy reliance on AI companions. Moderator Mark McDonald, M.D., MHA, CPE System Vice President Pediatric Medical Affairs Norton Healthcare Medical Director, Norton Children's Professor, University of Louisville School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics Division of Pediatric Critical Care Speaker Michael Eiden, Ph.D, LCSW, LCADC, CSAT, CCS Michael Eiden, PhD, LCSW, LCADC, CSAT, CCS Licensed Clinical Social Worker Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certified Sex Addiction Therapist Certified Clinical Supervisor Board Certified Sex Therapist EMDR Trained Eiden Integrative Counseling Planner and Moderator Disclosures The planners, moderator and speaker of this activity do not have any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. Commercial Support There was no commercial support for this activity. Grant This episode is supported by a grant from the Kentucky Medical Association's 'Small STEPS, Big Impact' campaign, a two-year initiative that encourages patients to achieve long-term success through taking simple steps that can add up to make a big impact on their health. The campaign focuses on five key areas (screenings, tobacco use, exercise & nutrition, physician visits and stress) and offers straightforward strategies and support for patients. It is a partnership between the KMA and its charitable arm, the Kentucky Foundation for Medical, made possible by a grant from the Kentucky Department for Public Health. For more information, visit SmallSTEPSKy.org. Physician Credits Accreditation Norton Healthcare is accredited by the Kentucky Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Designation Norton Healthcare designates this enduring material for a maximum of .50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Nursing Credits Norton Healthcare Institute for Education and Development is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the South Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. This continuing professional development activity has been approved for 0.50 ANCC CE contact hours. In order for nursing participants to obtain credits, they must claim attendance by attesting to the number of hours in attendance. For more information related to nursing credits, contact Sally Sturgeon, DNP, RN, SANE-A, AFN-BC at (502) 446-5889 or sally.sturgeon@nortonhealthcare.org. Social Worker Credits This activity will provide .50 hours of required continuing education units. National Association of Social Workers, Kentucky Chapter (NASW-KY) is an approved provider for social work credits through the Kentucky Board of Social Work. NASWKY#06/30/25. For information about social worker credits, please send an email to cme@nortonhealthcare.org. Resources for Additional Study/References Internet Addiction Assessment (IAA) https://psychology-tools.com/test/internet-addiction-assessment Parent Tools – Operation Parent https://www.operationparent.org/ Parent Tools – Children and Screens https://www.childrenandscreens.org/ Digital companionship or psychological risk? The role of AI characters in shaping youth mental health https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39798495/ Artificial Intelligence and Adolescent Well-being https://www.apa.org/topics/artificial-intelligence-machine-learning/health-advisory-ai-adolescent-well-being SmallSTEPSKy.org Date of Original Release | Nov. 2025; Information is current as of the time of recording. Course Termination Date | Nov. 2027 Contact Information | Center for Continuing Medical Education; (502) 446-5955 or cme@nortonhealthcare.org Also listen to Norton Healthcare's podcast Stronger After Stroke. This podcast, produced by the Norton Neuroscience Institute, discusses difficult topics, answers frequently asked questions and provides survivor stories that provide hope. Norton Healthcare, a not for profit health care system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com.
