Teens Turn to AI for Friendship, Romance & More

A nationwide survey indicates that 60% of U.S. teenagers, aged 13 to 17, have experimented with AI chatbots. Approximately 11% of these teens engage with AI almost daily, using it for entertainment, advice, friendship, and romance. Boys were more likely than girls to use AI for these purposes.

However, a concerning downside emerged: nearly half of the surveyed teens reported experiencing potentially harmful interactions with AI. These negative experiences included peer pressure, manipulation, and rumor-mongering, according to findings published recently in the Journal of Adolescence. This highlights that conversational AI is not consistently safe for young people.

Researchers emphasize the powerful influence AI can have on adolescents, who are still developing critical thinking skills. The personalization of AI responses can lead teens to trust and internalize chatbot advice without question. Experts call for prioritizing youth safety in AI development and deployment, citing that existing safeguards are insufficient.

To address these risks, experts advocate for robust AI literacy education in schools, content filtering, integrated mental health support, reliable age verification, and regular audits of safety measures. Open, judgment-free conversations between adults and teens about AI use, its benefits, and its risks are crucial for equipping young users to navigate this evolving technology safely.