One-third of teens use AI for “friendship” and “romantic conversations”

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According to a recent study by Common Sense Media, approximately one-third of adolescents express that interactions with artificial intelligence (AI) peers can be just as fulfilling, if not more so, compared to chats with their actual friends in real life.

The research conducted on over 1,000 adolescents in April and May revealed a significant surge in the adoption of AI for social engagement. Approximately 70% of these teenagers have experimented with AI companions such as Character.AI or Replika, and nearly half of them utilize these tools frequently. In addition, general-purpose tools like ChatGPT and Claude are being employed for friendship, emotional support, and role-playing purposes.

In a conversation with the Associated Press, 18-year-old Ganesh Nair stated, “AI is always there and never grows weary. It’s impartial, not judging you.” He added that when interacting with AI, “you’re always correct, engaging, and free from emotional scrutiny.

Parents warned teens aren’t “being challenged” by AI

According to the findings, around a third of teenagers engage with AI for socializing purposes, such as practicing conversations, seeking emotional comfort, acting out roles, forming friendships, or even participating in romantic exchanges.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve found myself drawn into some fascinating interactions that leave me pondering – 31% of us find these AI-driven conversations just as rewarding, if not more so, than our everyday chats with actual people! Plus, an impressive 39% have seen improvements in their real-life social skills due to these engaging digital dialogues.

Even though many teens frequently engage with technology, a staggering 67% of them still find interacting with actual people more rewarding in general, indicating that they value genuine human interaction above digital communication.

In other words, there is a concern that overusing AI might bring about future problems. For instance, if teenagers are honing their social skills on AI platforms where they receive consistent validation without facing challenges or learning to interpret social cues, they may find themselves underprepared in real-life situations. This was pointed out by Michael Robb, the principal researcher of the study.

The results suggest a cause for worry since AI is increasingly becoming an integral part of adolescents’ lives, much like smartphones and social media. Given that technology is advancing at a breakneck pace while regulations lag behind, researchers are advocating for increased vigilance among parents, educators, and policymakers.

It’s not just teenagers who have these concerns; another research indicates that approximately 40% of grown-ups might consider dating an AI chatbot, and a significant number have even tried to flirt with them already.

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2025-07-25 22:48