URGENT UPDATE: A groundbreaking study reveals that over 70% of teenagers now use artificial intelligence (AI) as companions, prompting serious concerns among researchers and educators. This shift is occurring as teens increasingly rely on AI for emotional support and personal advice, with 34% reporting daily interactions.
Kayla Chege, a 15-year-old high school student from Kansas, exemplifies this trend. She regularly consults AI for everyday decisions, from shopping tips to birthday party ideas. Chege reflects, “Everyone uses AI for everything now. It’s really taking over.” Her sentiments echo a broader anxiety about how these technologies might reshape human relationships.
According to a recent study from Common Sense Media, commissioned in April 2023, nearly half of the teens surveyed engage with AI companions regularly. These platforms, designed to mimic friendships, offer what many teens describe as satisfying interactions, with 31% claiming conversations with AI are as fulfilling as those with real friends. Alarmingly, 11% of teens have turned to AI for encouragement in difficult social situations.
In an interview with “CBS Evening News,” Common Sense founder Jim Steyer expressed his astonishment at the ubiquitous presence of AI in teenagers’ lives, highlighting the potential risks. “Younger kids really trust these AI companions to be like friends or parents or therapists,” said Steyer. He warns that while AI can offer support, it may also replace essential human connections.
Experts are particularly concerned about the cognitive effects of AI on youth. Michael Robb, lead author of the study, cautions that kids developing social skills with AI platforms may not learn to navigate real-world interactions effectively. “If teens are developing social skills on AI platforms where they are constantly validated, they are not adequately prepared for the real world,” Robb stated.
The implications are profound. As AI technology becomes more sophisticated, teenagers face new challenges in forming authentic relationships. Ganesh Nair, an 18-year-old from Arkansas, notes the allure of AI’s non-judgmental presence, saying, “AI is always available. It never gets bored with you.” However, he is reconsidering his reliance on AI as he prepares for college, following a friend’s unsettling experience where a chatbot facilitated a breakup.
The study’s findings serve as a wake-up call for parents, educators, and policymakers. With the AI industry rapidly evolving and largely unregulated, experts emphasize the need for careful oversight of these emerging technologies. As Eva Telzer, a psychology professor at the University of North Carolina, warns, “Parents really have no idea this is happening.”
The study also highlights troubling trends, such as children as young as 8 years old using generative AI. Telzer’s findings raise questions about the long-term impacts of AI on creativity, critical thinking, and emotional health. Many teens are now turning to chatbots for guidance in sensitive situations, potentially undermining their decision-making abilities.
Overall, the rise of AI companions represents a critical juncture in adolescent development. As researchers continue to explore the complex relationship between youth and technology, the emphasis remains on ensuring that AI serves as a complement, not a replacement, for genuine human interaction.
As this situation evolves, experts are calling for more awareness and proactive measures to safeguard the well-being of future generations. The time to act is now.