Responsible AI Companion Use: Our Guidelines for Safe and Healthy Engagement

This site covers AI companion platforms — products that use artificial intelligence to simulate conversation and relationship dynamics. These platforms serve a legitimate entertainment and creative purpose for adults. They also warrant clear guidelines about appropriate use, age restrictions, and the importance of maintaining perspective on the difference between AI interaction and human connection.

Our commitment is to cover this niche with honesty and responsibility.

Age Restrictions Are Non-Negotiable

Every platform reviewed on this site is restricted to users 18 years of age or older. This is not a recommendation — it is a legal and policy requirement enforced by compliant platforms.

Why 18+ is mandatory:

• Adult AI platforms generate explicit content that is legally restricted to adults
• Platforms compliant with 18 U.S.C. 2257 enforce age verification at account creation
• NSFW AI content involving minors is prohibited under federal law and by every legitimate platform's terms of service

For parents: AI companion platforms should be treated with the same household access controls as any adult content service. Browser-level controls, parental monitoring software, and direct conversation with teenagers about these platforms are all appropriate precautionary measures. Age verification systems on these platforms are not foolproof, and parental awareness is the most effective safeguard.

We only review platforms that enforce age verification at account creation.

Content Policies We Expect from Platforms

Not every platform that allows adult content is acceptable. When evaluating AI companion services, we assess content policies for specific standards:

What responsible platforms prohibit:

• Any content depicting or implying characters are minors
• Non-consensual scenarios presented approvingly (vs. clearly framed fiction)
• Content targeting or endangering real, identifiable people
• Violations of community standards around harmful content types

What users should understand:

• AI-generated content is synthetic — it does not depict real people
• Published community characters are created by other users, not by real people offering themselves for interaction
• Content moderation systems are imperfect; user reporting tools supplement automated moderation

If you encounter content on any reviewed platform that appears to violate these standards, use the platform's in-app reporting tools and, if warranted, report to relevant authorities.

Protecting Your Data and Privacy

AI companion platforms collect and store significant amounts of personal data — including conversation logs that may contain sensitive personal information. Before registering on any platform:

Steps to protect yourself:

• Read the privacy policy — specifically check data retention periods, third-party sharing, and deletion policies
• Use unique, strong passwords — never reuse passwords from other accounts on adult platforms
• Enable two-factor authentication where available
• Minimize personal data sharing — use a pseudonym where possible and avoid sharing identifying information in conversations
• Be aware of retention policies — GirlfriendGPT, for example, retains data for 6 years after account deletion. This is a factor worth knowing before sharing sensitive conversations.

For our own data practices as a review site, see our ➜ privacy policy.

Healthy Usage Guidelines

AI companion technology is designed for entertainment and creative expression. It can be a valuable tool for practicing conversation, exploring creative scenarios, or experiencing companionship in a low-pressure digital environment. It is not a substitute for human connection.

Signs of healthy AI companion use:

• Using the platform for entertainment or creative purposes within regular life
• Maintaining active real-world social relationships alongside AI companion use
• Treating AI interactions as what they are: sophisticated software simulations

Signs that usage may be becoming problematic:

• Preferring AI interaction to all real human contact
• Emotional distress when unable to access the platform
• Significant time or financial investment that displaces real-world priorities
• Difficulty distinguishing AI-generated emotional responses from genuine relationship

AI companions do not have feelings or genuine relationships with users. The responses are generated by language models trained to produce contextually appropriate output. Effective AI companions are designed to feel emotionally present — be aware of this design goal and maintain perspective.

Mental health resources:

If AI companion use — or any technology use — is affecting your wellbeing, real support is available:

• SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7)
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Our Editorial Responsibility

Our responsibility extends beyond publishing product reviews. We cover this niche with a commitment to balanced, honest assessment:

• We publish both positive and negative findings, including safety concerns and privacy risks
• We do not accept payment for favorable reviews or suppress negative findings
• All affiliate relationships are disclosed — see our ➜ about page and ➜ terms of service
• We update reviews when platforms change their policies, pricing, or features
• We include "last verified" dates on all pricing and feature data

The AI companion market includes legitimate platforms, questionable operators, and outright scams. Our editorial assessment aims to help users identify which is which.

Frequently Asked Questions