Loneliness among teens leading to unhealthy use of artificial intelligence

Australian teenagers are rapidly relying on artificial intelligence in every part of their lives.

For some teens, chatbots are just a study buddy, but some youngsters are leaning to AI for friendship.

Dr Charlotte Keating discusses concerns over more teenagers relying on Chatbots for advice. Today

“They are using them in all aspects of their lives, whether it’s study, as a tutor for them, but there are also marketed products for them out there that sort of do present as friends or even emotional support companions,” clinical psychologist, Dr Charlotte Keating, told Today.

“In fact, some research suggests up to one third of young people may have engaged in it in the context of emotional support, so I think it’s really quite ubiquitous in their lives.”

Dr Keating said part of the challenge here is that young people are at a developmental stage where their brain is sensitive to their social experiences.

“They’re trying to seek social acceptance, a sense of connection and the tricky part with these chatbots is they are often very agreeable and validating,” she said.

“There isn’t the tension to navigate like in interpersonal relationships, whether it’s difference in opinion, conflicting ideas, navigating ways to resolve and it’s important for young people to know when they are engaged in these long form conversations with a chatbot that might be very validating… it’s modelling this expectation that may set up an unhealthy dynamic to be people pleasing or expect others to please them in that way.”

For parents concerned their teenager may be relying too much on a bond with artificial intelligence, Dr Keating advises discussing privacy with them, avoiding a lecturing approach to the matter, using AI together, setting tech boundaries, prioritising device-free time and watching for red flags with the behaviour.

Red flags include isolating themselves, referring to AI as a “friend”, becoming distressed without AI, preferring chatbots to human relationships, excessive use of AI and changes to behaviour and mental or emotional state.

For more information on protecting your children from over relying on artificial intelligence, click here.