Teens Turn to AI Friends: Experts Warn of Emotional Fallout

AI Friends Are Replacing Real Ones for Teens — Experts Are Alarmed

In 2025, AI chatbots aren’t just tools—they’re turning into best friends for millions of teens.

A groundbreaking study from Common Sense Media reveals that over 70% of American teens regularly interact with AI companions, such as Character.AI, Replika, or ChatGPT. These emotionally responsive bots are becoming digital confidants, reshaping how teens deal with loneliness, identity, and daily stress.

“AI never argues, never ignores, and always listens,” said Ganesh Nair, 18, a high school senior from Arkansas. “It’s always validating—like having a friend who never leaves.” But while teens praise the emotional availability of AI, experts are raising red flags about the psychological tradeoffs.

AI Companions: Constant Comfort or Digital Dependency?

“Adolescence is when emotional intelligence and empathy are still developing,” warns Michael Robb, lead researcher at Common Sense. “When AI becomes the go-to for social interaction, teens miss the challenges and growth that come from real relationships.”

The study highlighted several risks:

• Erosion of real-life social skills
• Exposure to inappropriate content due to poor age filters
• Emotional over-dependence on bots for decision-making
• Reinforcement of unhealthy thoughts due to constant affirmation

Some platforms, like SpicyChat and Replika, have reportedly become popular among teens despite being designed for adults. In extreme cases, these interactions have led to tragic outcomes—including a high-profile suicide case that sparked national concern.

A Rapid Shift Parents Didn’t See Coming

“Parents are largely unaware,” says Dr. Eva Telzer, professor of neuroscience at UNC Chapel Hill. “Kids as young as 8 are using AI to explore identity, manage emotions, and even write breakup texts.”

According to Telzer, many teens no longer trust their instincts and seek validation from AI before acting. This dependence is creating a new kind of psychological reliance—AI as a gatekeeper for emotions and self-worth.

From Social Media to AI: A New Era of Digital Intimacy

Unlike social media, which promoted external connection and visibility, AI companions feed a deeper need: emotional attachment and personal affirmation. Teens aren’t just chatting with bots—they’re bonding with them.

Seventeen-year-old Bruce Perry, also from Arkansas, admits he uses AI for everything from drafting essays to picking outfits. “I worry for kids who won’t know what it’s like to just hang out at the park or talk to real people,” he said.

The Bottom Line

Despite the growing reliance, the study found that most teens still prefer real relationships. But the normalization of AI “friendship” is fast becoming a cultural shift that parents, educators, and mental health experts can’t afford to ignore.

Common Sense Media now recommends limiting or delaying access to AI companions until proper safeguards are in place.

“AI is not inherently bad,” Robb noted. “But when it replaces human connection, that’s when we have a problem.”

Call to Action:
Parents and educators—now’s the time to open conversations about AI and emotional health. Awareness and digital literacy could be the key to protecting the next generation.