Chatperone: An LLM-Based Negotiable Scaffolding System for Mediating Adolescent Mobile Interactions

TL;DR

The paper addresses the problem of adolescent exposure to digital content and the limitations of rigid parental controls by proposing Chatperone, an LLM-based negotiable scaffolding system. It outlines a conceptual architecture with three modules—Perception (on-device sensing of exposure and context), Negotiation (LLM-mediated mediation between teen and parent), and Moderation (enforcement of content constraints). The work discusses usage scenarios, teen-informed design, privacy considerations, and fairness in LLM-mediated negotiation, highlighting practical and ethical challenges for real-world deployment. By reframing digital guardianship as a negotiated, autonomy-supportive process, the approach aims to balance adolescent development with safety, potentially reducing friction in parent–teen interactions while safeguarding against harmful content.

Abstract

Adolescents' uncontrolled exposure to digital content can negatively impact their development. Traditional regulatory methods, such as time limits or app restrictions, often take a rigid approach, ignoring adolescents' decision-making abilities. Another issue is the lack of content and services tailored for adolescents. To address this, we propose Chatperone, a concept of a system that provides adaptive scaffolding to support adolescents. Chatperone fosters healthy mobile interactions through three key modules: Perception, Negotiation, and Moderation. This paper outlines these modules' functionalities and discusses considerations for real-world implementation.