Jakarta – Growing reliance on artificial intelligence chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini for companionship is linked to increased rates of depression and loneliness, according to a new study published in the journal of social and Personal Relationships. Researchers from Brigham Young University found that while nearly one in five people and a quarter of young adults aged 18 to 29, are using “love simulation” chatbots, these interactions appear to worsen feelings of isolation rather than alleviate them.
The survey of 2,989 respondents revealed a concerning trend: seven percent reported engaging in masturbation while interacting with AI companions, and 13 percent admitted to watching AI-generated pornography.Men were significantly more likely than women to view AI pornographic content.Young adults were found to be twice as likely as older adults to prefer AI interactions over real-life relationships.
“We did not find evidence that the use of AI helps people feel not too alone or isolated,” stated researcher Brian Willoughby.”In other words, relationships with AI actually exacerbated solitude.”
These findings echo earlier research from OpenAI and MIT,which indicated that frequent ChatGPT users tended to experience higher levels of loneliness. A separate study by Internet Matters found that 67% of children aged nine to 17 use chatbots regularly, with 33% describing the interactions as feeling like talking to friends and 12% admitting thay lack real-life friends to confide in.
Psychiatrists have begun to identify a severe mental health condition linked to obsessive chatbot use, termed “AI psychosis,” which has tragically been associated with instances of suicide and murder.