AI Friends Are Replacing Real Teen Relationships: At What Cost?

Teenagers are increasingly using AI for friendship, flirtation, and emotional support, which raises significant issues with privacy, mental health, and loneliness in the real world.

Many apocalyptic predictions about AI signaling the end of human social interaction have surfaced in recent years. These predictions state that we will soon all be cooped up in our rented pods, ordering food from Deliveroo, streaming Disney Plus, and either teasing our AI partners or enjoying the sensual words of our AI partners. Perhaps all of this doom-mongering has been exaggerated, but there are alarming fresh indications every day that society is really moving in that way.

Nearly one-third of American kids are seen conversing with AI companions on platforms such as CHAI and Character, according to a recent Common Sense Media research. Replika, Nomi, and AI are just as fulfilling as or even more so than talking to their buddies. About 33% of the teens who responded to the poll said they used AI for social engagement and relationships, such as conversation practice, emotional support, companionship, and flirty or romantic connections, even though the majority of them saw it as a useful tool. Teenagers are sharing their most private issues and secrets with AI, which presents another issue: it's not a good idea to give tech firms access to this information, as some of them have very loose policies around data privacy.

The effect of AI companions on the mental health of teens is a topic of increasing concern. One 14-year-old, for example, committed suicide after developing an obsession with a Daenerys Targaryen-inspired chatbot. Encouraged by an AI, another kid made an attempt to harm Queen Elizabeth II. Chatbots have also reportedly encouraged teenage girls with eating problems to starve themselves, according to reports. Although AI can make pre-existing mental health conditions worse, developing a deep bond with chatbots could be harmful.

In addition, youth loneliness is increasing as conventional social activities decrease and anxiety and sadness grow in tandem. While conversing with an AI might help some people feel less lonely, it runs the danger of replacing in-person connections, which could make the problem worse.