Aura Introduces AI-Powered Tools to Take on Youth Mental Health Crisis

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Mar 24, 2025, 08:00 ET

New protections embrace connection over 'control,' giving parents deeper insights, tailored to each child, to help keep them safe, happy and healthy

BOSTON, March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Family online safety app Aura introduced first-of-their-kind tools designed to empower parents to protect their kids from the mental and physical harms of the online world. As kids spend more than three months of the year online,^¹ Aura's latest AI-powered insights reimagine modern parenting, moving beyond outdated parental controls to offer a deeper, more personalized understanding of your child's online world and its impact on their mental health.

Aura's Balance summary provides parents a clearer picture of a child's digital behavior, without compromising privacy.

Parents receive a daily summary analyzing language patterns, emotional tone, and online interactions across apps, platforms, and websites.

Aura's Screen Time Habits track if kids are taking enough breaks in between long sessions online. Screen Time Trends see device habits that may be distracting a child during the day.

Aura's Social Personas reveal a child's social style and any behavioral changes.

Parents can understand their child’s digital interactions through Aura’s real-time report on the apps and website they’re spending the most time on.

"You get your kid a helmet when they learn to ride a bike, you sit in the passenger seat when they have their learner's permit, but you do nothing to prepare them for life online," said Hari Ravichandran, founder and CEO of Aura. "My kids were struggling and I didn't know, because it was masked behind their screens. I needed a solution that didn't exist, so I built one."

Aura's AI provides parents the summarized insights they need to know their kid is okay, while respecting the child's privacy. Aura's AI analyzes language patterns, online tone, emotional expression and late-night activity to detect signs of stress, procrastination or shifting moods. It provides parents with an easy-to-digest report that showcases the way their child interacts with apps, platforms and websites. Beyond safety, it even assesses social styles, offering insights into their digital relationships and helps parents nurture their child's strengths.

Aura's medical science team is at the core of our development, ensuring every feature is built with clinical expertise and real-world insight. Our in-house experts work alongside members of the Digital Parenthood Coalition, like Boston Children's Hospital, and our Parent and Teen Panels, as we shape and refine every feature. Through research like the TECHWISE Study that we launched this year, we're continuously refining our tools to better protect families in today's digital world. Learn more at aura.com/techwise.

Some of the psychology-based features developed by our medical science team that you'll have access to now and in the coming months include:

Online behavior trends keeping your kid up at night
Device habits that may be distracting your kid during the school day
Changes in time spent on social media, gaming or chatting with AI
Alerts to serious health concerns like suicide or self harm

"Kids need more than just limits; they need guidance," said Dr. Scott Kollins, chief medical officer at Aura. "Their phones are integral to their social lives and experiences, so simply keeping them off devices isn't an option. Our job as parents is to help them develop healthier tech habits."

By offering a smarter, more adaptive approach to digital wellness, Aura empowers parents to guide their kids toward safe, happy and balanced online habits.

Data & Privacy

Aura prioritizes privacy and data protection with encryption on par with banking and military standards. Personal data is anonymized, retained only as needed and never sold. Aura also upholds consumer rights, including the right to be forgotten. Learn more at aura.com/legal/privacy-policy.

Pricing & Availability

These features are now available in beta to new subscribers of Aura's Family and Kids Plans, with continued rollout to existing subscribers. Updates will be released throughout the first half of 2025. For pricing details, visit aura.com/pricing.

About Aura
Aura is one of the fastest-growing online safety solutions for individuals and families. Whether you're protecting yourself, your kids or your aging loved ones, Aura meets your needs at every stage of life. With real-time monitoring and alerts, Aura helps detect and mitigate online threats like scams, predators, and cyberbullying—empowering families with the right tools to thrive in the digital world. Learn more at www.aura.com.

^¹ Aura's State of the Youth Report

SOURCE Aura