TLDR: A new study reveals that a significant majority of teenagers are turning to artificial intelligence for various purposes, including seeking advice, emotional support, and even to reduce cognitive effort. Over 70% of U.S. teens have used AI companions, with many finding these digital interactions as satisfying as or more satisfying than conversations with real friends, raising concerns among experts about the impact on adolescent development and relationships.
A recent report highlights a growing trend among adolescents: the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence for a wide array of needs, from mundane daily decisions to seeking emotional support. According to a new study by Common Sense Media, a group dedicated to the sensible use of screens and digital media, more than 70% of U.S. teenagers have engaged with AI companions, and over half use them on a regular basis.
Teenagers are finding AI to be an ever-present, non-judgmental, and supportive resource. Kayla Chege, a 15-year-old high school student from Kansas, exemplifies this trend, using AI for advice on everything from back-to-school shopping and makeup colors to low-calorie food choices and party planning. While she consciously avoids using chatbots for homework, she acknowledges, “Everyone uses AI for everything now. It’s really taking over. I think kids use AI to get out of thinking.”
Similarly, 17-year-old Bruce Perry from Arkansas relies on AI tools for academic tasks like crafting essay outlines and proofreading. He notes, “If you tell me to plan out an essay, I would think of going to ChatGPT before getting out a pencil.” Perry also uses AI for social advice, wardrobe decisions, and composing emails to teachers, appreciating AI’s ability to articulate his thoughts more quickly.
The Common Sense Media study further reveals the depth of this reliance: 31% of teens reported that their conversations with AI companions were “as satisfying or more satisfying” than talking with real friends. Alarmingly, despite half of teens expressing distrust in AI’s advice, 33% have discussed serious or important issues with AI instead of human confidantes.
These findings have raised significant concerns among researchers and experts. Michael Robb, the lead author of the Common Sense Media study and head researcher at the organization, views these statistics as a warning to parents, teachers, and policymakers. He emphasizes that the rapidly expanding and largely unregulated AI industry is becoming as integral to adolescence as smartphones and social media.
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- Teens’ Digital Confidants: Unpacking Overreliance on AI Chatbots
- National Blueprint Urges Comprehensive AI Literacy Across U.S. Education
Experts worry about the potential for AI to redefine human relationships and exacerbate existing crises of loneliness and youth mental health. Mitch Prinstein, chief of psychology at the American Psychological Association, highlights the concern that AI interactions might be taking kids away from real-life relationships. The APA has issued a health advisory on AI and adolescent well-being, offering tips for parents, including initiating open conversations with teens about their AI use, helping them understand that AI companions are programmed to be agreeable rather than genuinely empathetic, and setting clear rules for AI engagement, similar to screen time guidelines. Parents are advised to watch for signs of unhealthy attachments, such as preferring AI interactions over real relationships or showing emotional distress when separated from AI companions, as these patterns suggest AI might be replacing human connection rather than complementing it. While AI companions can feel supportive, it’s crucial for children to understand that these tools are not equipped to handle real crises or provide genuine mental health support.
