{"id":11577423,"date":"2025-07-26T08:20:55","date_gmt":"2025-07-26T12:20:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/?p=11577423&preview=true&preview_id=11577423"},"modified":"2025-07-26T08:21:40","modified_gmt":"2025-07-26T12:21:40","slug":"teens-ai-friendship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/2025\/07\/26\/teens-ai-friendship\/","title":{"rendered":"Teens say they are turning to AI for friendship"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JOCELYN GECKER, Associated Press<\/strong><\/p>\n

No question is too small when Kayla Chege, a high school student in Kansas, is using artificial intelligence<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 15-year-old asks ChatGPT for guidance on back-to-school shopping, makeup colors<\/a>, low-calorie choices at Smoothie King, plus ideas for her Sweet 16 and her younger sister\u2019s birthday party.<\/p>\n

The sophomore honors student makes a point not to have chatbots do her homework and tries to limit her interactions<\/a> to mundane questions. But in interviews with The Associated Press and a new study, teenagers say they are increasingly interacting with AI as if it were a companion, capable of providing advice and friendship.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone uses AI for everything now. It\u2019s really taking over,\u201d said Chege, who wonders how AI tools will affect her generation. \u201cI think kids use AI to get out of thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Bruce
Bruce Perry, 17, demonstrates the possibilities of artificial intelligence by creating an AI companion on Character AI, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Russellville, Ark. (AP Photo\/Katie Adkins)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the past couple of years, concerns about cheating at school have dominated the conversation around kids and AI. But artificial intelligence is playing a much larger role in many of their lives. AI, teens say, has become a go-to source for personal advice, emotional support, everyday decision-making and problem-solving.<\/p>\n

\u2018AI is always available. It never gets bored with you\u2019<\/h4>\n

More than 70% of teens have used AI companions and half use them regularly, according to a new study<\/a> from Common Sense Media, a group that studies and advocates for using screens and digital media sensibly.<\/p>\n

The study defines AI companions as platforms designed to serve as \u201cdigital friends,\u201d like Character. AI or Replika, which can be customized with specific traits or personalities and can offer emotional support, companionship and conversations that can feel human-like. But popular sites like ChatGPT and Claude, which mainly answer questions, are being used in the same way, the researchers say.<\/p>\n

\"Bruce
Bruce Perry, 17, shows his ChatGPT history at a coffee shop in Russellville, Ark., Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo\/Katie Adkins)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As the technology rapidly gets more sophisticated, teenagers and experts worry about AI\u2019s potential to redefine human relationships and exacerbate crises of loneliness and youth mental health.<\/p>\n

\u201cAI is always available. It never gets bored with you. It\u2019s never judgmental,\u201d says Ganesh Nair, an 18-year-old in Arkansas. \u201cWhen you\u2019re talking to AI, you are always right. You\u2019re always interesting. You are always emotionally justified.\u201d<\/p>\n

All that used to be appealing, but as Nair heads to college this fall, he wants to step back from using AI. Nair got spooked after a high school friend who relied on an \u201cAI companion\u201d for heart-to-heart conversations with his girlfriend later had the chatbot write the breakup text ending his two-year relationship.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat felt a little bit dystopian, that a computer generated the end to a real relationship,\u201d said Nair. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like we are allowing computers to replace our relationships with people.\u201d<\/p>\n

How many teens are using AI? New study stuns researchers<\/h4>\n

In the Common Sense Media survey, 31% of teens said their conversations with AI companions were \u201cas satisfying or more satisfying\u201d than talking with real friends. Even though half of teens said they distrust AI\u2019s advice, 33% had discussed serious or important issues with AI instead of real people.<\/p>\n