Stephen Beach
A new study warns that chatbots pose a risk to the mental health of teenagers.
Scientists believe that communicating with AI has the potential to foster interpersonal and emotional relationships, but it lacks important safeguards.
As teens increasingly turn to artificial intelligence chatbots for advice on friendships, family conflicts, and romantic relationships, researchers are expressing concerns that the new technology could disrupt young people's learning to build human relationships.
AI-powered conversation tools like ChatGPT, Replika, Claude, and Character.AI are becoming a common source of emotional support for teens.
Researchers at Arizona State University (ASU) said that, on the positive side, the technology offers immediate, non-judgmental help and has the potential to improve emotional development.
However, the research team warned that without precautions and careful design, over-reliance on these systems could deprive young people of the opportunity to develop key interpersonal skills through face-to-face interaction.
Lead author of the study, Tao Ha, said: "Technology is advancing incredibly fast, faster than we as scientists can keep up with it, faster than governments and policymakers can keep up with it.".
Students who met with the research team described how they and their peers frequently use AI to seek advice on personal and often sensitive matters related to interpersonal relationships.
Ortega, a high school student, said, "I didn't expect so many teenagers to have the same concerns or thoughts about AI.".
«What we were all most concerned about was how AI was replacing real human interaction and how it was limiting many human needs that could not be met by computer AI.».
Ha noted that adolescence is a crucial period for learning skills such as emotional regulation, conflict resolution, understanding others' points of view, and setting boundaries.
She says these skills typically develop through emotionally charged interactions with peers, romantic partners, and family members.
Ha said, "People don't realize that learning through interaction happens during adolescence, and that these moments of social interaction are the little building blocks that grow into bigger things that will benefit you throughout your life.".
«"You really need those basic elements so you can gain the skills you need to build successful relationships.".
The researchers said the survey data showed that AI use among teenagers is widespread.
One study found that nearly two-thirds of American teens (64%) use interactive AI, while another found that 42% have used AI chatbots to maintain friendships and 19% have used them for romantic relationships.
Teens told an Arizona State University research team that existing approaches to regulating AI, such as age verification, are ineffective and don't meet their needs.
Others described how difficult it is becoming to avoid using AI, with one teenager explaining that it is «almost impossible not to use it anymore,» limiting the possibility of its deliberate use.
In the journal The Lancet Child & Pre-natal Health, a group of researchers identified two significant risks.
The first type of interaction, which they call "relational substitution," occurs when teens replace interactions with other people with interactions with artificial intelligence.
Researchers say avoiding difficult conversations with friends, family members, or romantic partners can limit opportunities to develop relationship skills that help protect against depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
Young participants gave examples ranging from seeking validation from chatbots after arguments with partners to using AI for homework help instead of asking classmates, potentially reducing opportunities for everyday social interaction.
The second problem, called "maladaptive relational learning," involves developing unrealistic expectations in adolescents about human relationships.
Because AI systems often provide instant responses and consistently confirm correct actions, the research team argues that this could reinforce unhealthy, preconceived notions about relationships among young people, while at the same time, young users may come to expect similar behavior from friends and romantic partners.
Over time, this can reinforce unhealthy relationship patterns and increase vulnerability to rejection, relationship violence, and mental health problems.
Ortega said: "Artificial intelligence is programmed to please you, and it knows what to say to satisfy your desires.".
«"If you get complete satisfaction from everything, then you don't gain experience in overcoming difficulties and obstacles.".
Ha is currently leading a large-scale study to better understand how digital technologies are changing the thinking of young people.
Researchers are recruiting 300 adolescents and their romantic partners for 18 months to understand when, how, and in what contexts digital interactions benefit or harm their relationships, mental health, and academic performance.
Sharing data from participants' mobile devices will allow researchers to track and analyze digital interactions in real time, as well as gain insight into the role of technology in adolescent relationships and mental health.
Ha and her colleagues acknowledged that AI could bring significant benefits.
One teenager told the research team: "AI is cheaper than a therapist, it makes information more accessible and easily available to those who might not seek help.".
When designed with age-appropriate features in mind, AI can "support" self-reflection and guide adolescents toward interacting with people rather than replacing them, researchers say.
Rather than discouraging the use of AI entirely, a team from Arizona State University called for more research into how interaction with AI impacts adolescent development over time.
The researchers also called on schools, communities and policymakers to invest in relationship education, counselling services and opportunities for young people to discuss relationships openly.
Ha added: «To support adolescent mental health, it is necessary to ensure that AI systems are used in a way that promotes learning through interpersonal relationships and also protects the real-life experiences through which young people learn to love and care for others.».
The article "Study warns that chatbots pose a danger to teens' mental health" first appeared on the Talker website.