Teenagers Increasingly Turning to AI Companions, Study Finds
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A recent study by Common Sense Media indicates a significant trend: more than half of pre-adult teenagers regularly engage with AI companions.
The research, published Wednesday, found that nearly a third of these adolescents find AI conversations as satisfying, or even more so, than those with human beings.
Approximately 33% of adolescents utilize AI companions like Character.ai, Nomi, and Relita for social interactions and relationships.
These platforms are used for practicing conversations, receiving emotional support, engaging in role-playing, and forming pleasant or romantic connections.
Distinguishing AI Tools
The study differentiates between anthropomorphic AI robots and AI assistance tools.
Examples of AI assistance tools include ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google’s Gemini.
Concerns and Recommendations
Researchers from Common Sense Media concluded that their findings support limiting AI use among young people.
Their prior recommendation remains: considering the current state of AI platforms, individuals under 18 should not use AI companions.
Rapid AI Evolution and Adolescent Vulnerability
Generative AI has advanced at an amazing pace in recent years, introducing new tools globally.
This rapid progress impacts economic models, social practices, and cultural norms, potentially exposing adolescents to risks they may not fully control.
The Impact of Isolation
Combined with social isolation intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, this phenomenon presents technological risks.
Adolescents’ young brains may not be adequately equipped to manage these evolving digital interactions.
Background on AI companions
