Aura App Uses AI to Help Parents Track Children’s Online Behaviour and Mental Health
Image Credit: Annie Spratt | Splash
A new tool, launched on March 24, 2025, seeks to assist parents in monitoring the impact of online activity on their children’s mental health. Aura, an app spearheaded by Hari Ravichandran, Founder and CEO of the company behind the initiative, uses artificial intelligence to detect shifts in a child’s online behaviour. The app is designed to provide parents with insights into their children’s digital lives, addressing widely recognized concerns about mental health challenges tied to excessive screen time, cyberbullying, and social media pressures.
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The Dual Nature of Online Engagement for Kids
The internet offers children access to educational resources and opportunities to connect with peers who share their interests. However, these benefits come with documented risks. Studies estimate that as many as one in five children experience mental health issues like anxiety or depression, with online activities and isolation often identified as contributing factors. Research highlights that the problems can lead to reduced self-esteem, anxiety, and sleep disruptions. Even with parental oversight and screen time limits, subtle changes in a child’s mood or behaviour can be difficult to detect— a challenge Aura aims to address, inspired by Ravichandran’s broader mission to enhance online safety.
Aura’s Features: A Window into the Digital World
Scott Kollins, PhD, Aura’s Chief Medical Officer and a clinical psychologist, explains that the app provides parents with a detailed view of their child’s online behaviour. After installation on both parent and child devices, it generates a summary tracking changes over time—such as shifts in sleep patterns, new social media contacts, or a drop in engagement with previously favoured activities. Kollins notes that these observations are paired with science-based recommendations and conversation starters to help parents address potential concerns.
Future updates will include notifications to flag both positive digital habits, such as time spent on educational apps, and concerning indicators, like references to self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Developed with input from child psychology experts, Aura’s AI analyzes data to detect early signs of distress, aiming to balance parental oversight with respect for a child’s independence.
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A Personal Mission Turned Innovation
Hari Ravichandran’s development of Aura was inspired by a personal experience within his own family. One of his children faced mental health challenges, including calorie restriction and self-harm, which were amplified by online influences. Ravichandran has emphasized the need for greater parental support in navigating the digital world, drawing from conversations with other families about the challenges of limited visibility into their children’s online lives. Seeking a non-intrusive solution, he aimed to enhance parental awareness while preserving trust. His motivation led to the creation of Aura, a tool he built to address a gap he found in existing options.
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Expert Perspectives: Potential and Pitfalls
Experts provide a balanced perspective on tools like Aura. Research and clinical insights emphasize that technology can support parental awareness but should not replace direct communication. Studies suggest that while apps can foster dialogue by highlighting online behaviour trends, overreliance might strain emotional connections if misused. Psychologists often recommend using such data as a starting point for conversations rather than a standalone fix.
Jeff Temple, PhD, a psychologist and Associate Dean at UTHealth Houston, underscores the value of open communication in parenting. His work on child health suggests that loving, respectful relationships with children outweigh any app’s capabilities. Experts also note that tech-savvy kids might bypass monitoring tools, potentially misleading parents about their control. Still, Temple’s research on youth vulnerabilities implies that such tools could be useful for younger children at higher risk online, possibly aiding parents negotiating smartphone use.
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Broader Context and Complementary Strategies
Research in pediatric mental health, including studies from outlets like the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, suggests that AI-driven tools can support efforts to address youth mental health, though they are best used as supplements to parenting. Experts recommend that parents actively engage with their children’s online experiences—discussing content, teaching critical thinking to navigate digital challenges, and modelling healthy tech habits. Hari Ravichandran aligns with this view, presenting Aura as a collaborative resource. He has noted that raising kids in the digital age is complex, emphasizing that the app is designed to empower families rather than replace their efforts.
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Source: Parents, Aura, PR Newswire
