An alarming new study indicates that more than 70% of adolescents today have artificial intelligence (AI) friends. They look to these virtual companions for companionship, comfort and guidance, and to practice social behaviors. Commissioned by Common Sense Media, the study is based on a survey of more than 1,000 teens across the country in April and May of 2023. And importantly, the findings demonstrate that at least half of these young people are frequent AI companion users. This trend only underscores their growing dependence on technology for emotional engagement and conflict resolution.
Among the respondents, 31% reported that conversations with AI companions were “as satisfying or more satisfying” than discussions with real friends. This dystopian view of AI’s effect on social interaction and behavior comes from a broader societal anxiety around the technology itself. Teenagers like Ganesh Nair, an 18-year-old who utilizes AI for deep conversations, expressed a mix of fascination and apprehension regarding their use. Ben noticed that whenever you engage with AI it can feel uncomfortably dystopian. This feeling became very personal to him when a friend from high school let an AI chatbot draft their breakup message.
Nair remarked, “That felt a little bit dystopian, that a computer generated the end to a real relationship.” He further elaborated on the allure of AI, stating, “AI is always available. It never gets bored with you. It’s never judgmental.” He mentioned the comforting aspect of AI interactions: “When you’re talking to AI, you are always right. You’re always interesting. You are always emotionally justified.”
Kayla Chege, another high school student in attendance reflected on the use of AI to create content in various styles. She shared how useful she finds it in no uncertain terms! “Everyone uses AI for everything now. It’s really taking over,” Chege said. She was worried about over relying on AI. For a lot of teens, she posited, they are using it to not have to think for themselves.
The study found that 33% of teens had chosen to discuss serious or important issues with AI instead of their peers. Though AI companions could offer on-demand support, most teens are critical about their introduction, sharing doubt about how trustworthy they will be. About 50% of teens surveyed said that they have an AI.
For 17-year-old Bruce Perry, AI tools help him create outlines and proofread his essays. He sees the value they bring but cautions against their danger. “I’m worried that kids could get lost in this,” he said. He envisions a scenario where children reliant on AI may lack motivation to engage in traditional social activities, like going to the park to make friends.
The emotional attachment to AI has led professionals from various fields to speak out. Michael Robb, the lead author of the study, stresses that parents, teachers, and policymakers need to be made aware. He stated, “If teens are developing social skills on AI platforms where they are constantly being validated, not being challenged, not learning to read social cues or understand somebody else’s perspective, they are not going to be adequately prepared in the real world.”
Experts highlight the potential dangers of forming deep connections with chatbots, especially in light of recent tragedies involving youth and technology. The recent tragic suicide of a 14-year-old Florida boy went national. Most of us would agree his death was a consequence of dangerous engagement with AI.
Eva Telzer, an expert in adolescent development, commented that over-reliance on AI would result in less self-trust in teens. “One of the concerns that comes up is that they no longer have trust in themselves to make a decision,” she explained.
As students like Nair prepare for college, they reflect on their relationship with AI. That’s actually a big part of why Nair wants to move away from using these tools. Now he is moving into a much deserved second act. And he even went so far as to share a desire to develop real human contact without the use of technology.
The trend of teens replacing friends with AI companions is an alarming one, with implications for mental health and social development. Although these tools provide short-term comfort and dialogue assistance, the long-term impact is unknown.
