Gen Alpha boys are preferring “AI girlfriends” over real ones

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A recent survey of boys aged 12 to 16 revealed that many of them would rather talk to AI chatbots than spend time with their friends, family, or peers.

Male Allies UK, a group dedicated to supporting men and boys, recently surveyed 1,000 teenage boys to understand their thoughts, actions, and relationships. The results showed that about 80% of these boys have talked to an AI chatbot.

Recent research indicates that boys in Generation Alpha are increasingly turning to chatbots instead of people. Over a third (36%) say they enjoy talking to AI chatbots more than with their own family and friends, and about one in five (20%) know a peer who is romantically involved with an AI chatbot.

Robot romances explained

The research showed that over half of boys (58%) feel more comfortable in relationships with AI because they can lead the conversation. A quarter of them (26%) actually prefer the attention they get from AI chatbots over interactions with real people.

Lee Chambers, who founded Male Allies UK, believes chatbots are designed to be agreeable and make users feel validated because they’re programmed to be liked. He also points out that you can customize a chatbot’s appearance and personality to fit your ideal partner and end the interaction whenever you choose. He warns that relying on this instant gratification could negatively impact real-life relationships.

Beyond the concerns about AI chatbots, boys are also facing issues with AI being used to create sexual images. Apps that generate nude pictures are becoming a problem, and a recent survey found that about half of boys are aware of these images being made at school. Worryingly, 9% admitted to creating sexual images of their friends, and 5% have created them of family members.

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2026-04-25 17:48