1. A system, comprising: a memory that stores instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein responsive to executing the instructions, the processor performs operations comprising: receiving audio content of a user that is captured during a communication exchange between the user and an avatar presented by a set-top box; identifying a change in an emotional state of the user based on an analysis of speech of the user determined from the audio content; providing data to the set-top box for adapting characteristics of the avatar to generate an adapted avatar according to the identifying of the change in the emotional state of the user; and causing the set-top box to present the adapted avatar presenting content from a media content source.