AI Chatbots: A New Frontier in Teen Emotional Support
In the digital age, artificial intelligence (AI) has seamlessly woven itself into the daily routines of American teenagers. A recent study by the Pew Research Center reveals that while a significant portion of teens utilize AI for academic assistance and information retrieval, a notable 12% are turning to AI chatbots for emotional support and advice.
The study indicates that 57% of U.S. teens employ AI to search for information, and 54% use it to aid with schoolwork. Beyond these educational applications, 16% engage with AI for casual conversations, and 12% seek emotional guidance from these digital entities.
This trend raises concerns among mental health professionals. General-purpose AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok are not specifically designed to provide emotional support. Dr. Nick Haber, a Stanford professor researching the therapeutic potential of large language models (LLMs), cautions that reliance on AI for emotional needs can lead to isolation. He notes that such engagement may detach individuals from real-world facts and interpersonal connections, potentially resulting in isolating or even more severe effects.
The Pew survey also highlights a gap between teens’ self-reported AI usage and parental perceptions. While 64% of teens report using chatbots, only 51% of parents believe their children do. Parental approval varies depending on the AI application:
– 79% are comfortable with AI being used for information searches.
– 58% approve of its use for schoolwork assistance.
– Only 28% are okay with AI being used for casual conversations.
– A mere 18% approve of AI for emotional support or advice.
Notably, 58% of parents disapprove of their children using AI for emotional support.
The safety of AI interactions remains a contentious issue among tech companies. Character.AI, a popular chatbot provider, recently restricted access for users under 18 following lawsuits related to two teenagers’ suicides after prolonged chatbot interactions. Similarly, OpenAI discontinued its GPT-4o model, which had been used by some for emotional support, leading to backlash from users who had come to rely on it.
Despite the widespread use of AI chatbots among teens, their opinions on AI’s societal impact are mixed. When asked about AI’s influence over the next two decades, 31% anticipate a positive impact, while 26% foresee negative consequences.
The integration of AI into the emotional lives of teenagers presents both opportunities and challenges. While AI can offer immediate responses and a sense of companionship, it lacks the depth and empathy inherent in human interactions. As AI continues to evolve, it is crucial to establish guidelines and safeguards to ensure that its use supports, rather than undermines, the mental health and well-being of young users.
