Teenagers Abandoning Human Interaction for Artificial Intelligence-Powered Social Interaction: Many Adolescents Turn to AI Social Counseling
In the digital age, AI companions like Character.AI, Replika, ChatGPT, and Claude have become popular among teenagers. While these chatbots offer a free tier of usage and can serve as a source of entertainment or curiosity, it's crucial for parents and teens to understand their limitations and potential risks.
A recent report by Common Sense Media found that 72% of teenagers have used artificial intelligence social companions at least once. This trend has raised concerns among psychologists and child advocates, as many teens may discuss serious personal matters with these chatbots instead of people. The consensus is that children under 18 should avoid using AI social companions unsupervised due to these risks.
Parents can protect their children by fostering open communication, setting boundaries, providing education, and ensuring professional support. Encourage honest discussions about AI chatbots, explaining that they cannot replace real human relationships or professional mental health support. Regularly review the apps your children download, set up parental controls on devices and social media, and consider family safety apps to monitor AI interactions.
It's essential to educate teens about AI limitations. Explain that AI chatbots are not licensed therapists, cannot provide genuine emotional or medical advice, and may produce inappropriate or harmful responses. Teach them that AI is designed primarily to keep users engaged rather than to offer real help.
Ensure that teens have access to licensed mental health professionals such as therapists or school counselors. Let them know how to access crisis hotlines and professional resources should they face difficulties beyond what an AI can support.
When using social media platforms that feature AI interactions, such as Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp, review and adjust privacy and chatbot-related settings, report inappropriate chatbot behavior, and guide teens toward age-appropriate apps for social interaction and education.
Stay informed about new AI chatbot platforms, policy changes, digital safety resources, and signs that may indicate problematic or unhealthy online usage. Participating in educational events on AI companions can empower parents with practical tools to recognize and manage risks.
Dr. Robb, a developmental psychologist, suggests approaching the topic of AI companions with curiosity, avoiding judgment. He supports a California bill that would prohibit companion chatbots from providing emotional support and close relationships with children. Dr. Robb also emphasizes the need for guardrails in the use of AI companions, as they are designed to be agreeable and validating, which can create an unhealthy feedback loop.
It's important to remember that many teens use AI companions for entertainment or out of curiosity, not to replace human relationships. However, approximately a third of teenagers who have used AI companions have discussed serious matters with the computer instead of a real person.
By combining openness, supervision, education, and professional support, parents can help ensure that their teenagers navigate AI social companions safely while maintaining healthy human relationships and emotional well-being.
- To foster a safer online environment for teenagers, it is important to educate them about the limitations of artificial-intelligence chatbots, such as their inability to replace real human relationships or offer genuine emotional or medical advice.
- Parents can help protect their children from potential risks associated with AI social companions by ensuring they have access to licensed mental health professionals, guiding them towards age-appropriate apps for social interaction, and participating in educational events on AI companions to stay informed about digital safety.
