A conversation turn is one exchange in a dialogue. Its precise unit can vary: it may mean a single message or a paired exchange between a user and a chatbot. Because definitions differ, a turn count should be interpreted only when the counting method is clear.
In chatbot safety research, counting turns can show interaction patterns that total session time may miss, such as frequent back-and-forth messages. However, the metric alone does not establish harm or dependence. Collecting turn counts may also involve retaining message logs or metadata, so defenders should define the purpose, minimize collected data, restrict access, and set retention limits.