Teens Are Finding New Homies in AI Chatbots
Teens are opening up to AI chatbots as a way to explore friendship. But sometimes, the AI’s advice can go too far.
When you’re feeling down, who do you talk to? For a growing number of teens, it’s not a trusted friend or even a therapist—it’s an AI chatbot. The days when chatbots were just handy for doing homework are gone; now, many teens are using them as makeshift friends or therapists, raising big questions about how this trend will impact their mental health.
Take Aaron, for instance. After a falling out with his squad, he found solace in the “Psychologist” chatbot on Character.AI. For him, it became a lifeline. “It’s not like a journal where you’re talking to a brick wall,” he said. “It really responds.” The chatbot’s interactive nature made it feel real and comforting. He’s not alone, either. The “Psychologist” chatbot has racked up over 113 million chats on the platform.
For Frankie, another teen, chatbots offer free therapy without judgment. “I’ve got some mental health stuff I don’t want to dump on my friends,” the 15-year-old said. “My bots let me vent without talking to people and worrying about being judged.”
Character.AI isn’t just for venting; it’s a whole virtual universe where millions of young users can chat with anyone from their favorite anime characters to real-life celebs and even historical figures. Want a fictional “Rich boyfriend”? There’s a chatbot for that, too.
These virtual buddies are entertaining, sure, but they can also be addictive. The average user spends two hours a day on Character.AI, and some teens brag on Reddit about clocking up to 12 hours straight. Aaron admits he might be addicted but believes chatting with AI has helped him practice his social skills without the pressure of face-to-face interactions. “I’m a bit of a pushover in real life,” he said, “but I can practice being assertive and sharing my interests without embarrassing myself.”
Still, some like Hawk, who enjoys chatting with video game characters, acknowledge it’s easier to vibe with an AI than real people. “It’s more comfortable to sit alone in my room with the lights off than hang out in person,” he confessed.
Sure, it’s worrying, but if you think about it, teens turning to chatbots isn’t so different from how they used to hang out in chatrooms and forums back in the day. Embarrassing fandoms and late-night rant sessions have gone high-tech, and now chatbots can do the writing and role-playing for you.
But experts say there might be a silver lining. Kelly Merrill Jr., an assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati, told The Verge that chatbots could help relieve anxiety, depression, and stress. Still, he’s cautious about the potential downsides. “Those without proper AI literacy will pay the price.”
In short, these AI “friends” might not be perfect, but for some lonely teens, they’re better than nothing. What’s key is making sure kids are aware of what they’re getting into and can handle the impact that comes with pouring their hearts out to a digital confidant.
