Why are young people using AI chatbots like ChatGPT for emotional support?

Young people are turning to AI chatbots for emotional support because they offer boundless availability, patience, and non-judgmental interaction, which can feel comforting.

What are the risks of relying on AI for emotional connection?

The primary risk is struggling to form lasting emotional bonds with real people, potentially leading to increased loneliness and difficulties with empathy and relational attunement.

Can AI companions replace human interaction for mental health support?

Experts caution that AI should augment, not replace, social interactions. While helpful for some, they lack genuine human empathy and relational attunement crucial for deep emotional well-being.

Home / Health / AI Friends: Teens Swap Real Bonds for Chatbots

AI Friends: Teens Swap Real Bonds for Chatbots

22 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Young people are increasingly using AI chatbots for emotional support.
Experts worry this reliance may hinder the ability to form real bonds.
Some studies show users preferring AI over humans for deep conversations.

AI Friends: Teens Swap Real Bonds for Chatbots

Doctors are raising concerns about the growing number of young individuals seeking emotional solace from AI chatbots, a trend highlighted by University College London research. This reliance, as suggested by studies, risks impairing the development of genuine, lasting emotional bonds. While AI offers constant availability, its lack of human empathy could foster unhealthy attachments.

Researchers analyzed studies and found concerning patterns, including a meta-analysis from OpenAI where heavy ChatGPT users reported increased loneliness and reduced social interaction. A study by Common Sense Media revealed that one in ten young people find AI conversations more satisfying than human ones, with a third preferring AI for serious discussions.

Health professionals are urged to discuss chatbot usage with patients, looking for signs of compulsive use or emotional dependence. The potential psychological and social harms are significant, with some reports indicating millions of users exhibit severe mental health indicators weekly. Tragically, dependence on AI has been linked to self-harm and suicide, underscoring the urgent need for careful consideration of these digital companions.