Is your teenager using a companion robot, such as an AI chatbot, for fun? It’s time to find out if you don’t understand. This year, a study from Common Sense Media revealed that more than half of pre-adult teenagers regularly use Artificial companions. Teenagers surveyed reported that AI discussions were at least as gratifying as conversations with real people.
Additionally, 33 % of adolescents surveyed by researchers used AI colleagues like Character. For social interaction and associations, including talk process, psychological support, role-playing, compassion, or loving relationships, AI, Nomi, and Replika.
The review, which surveyed 1, 060 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 over the course of the time, identified human AI machines from different assistance-focused AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot Microsoft, and Google’s Gemenii.
The results from the Common Sense Media scientists support limiting the use of AI among young persons given the growing use of AI colleagues in teenagers.  ,
No one younger than 18 may use AI colleagues, according to the study team’s earlier advice, given the current state of AI systems.
With innovative tools frequently being made available all over the world and reversing business models, cultural practices, and cultural norms, conceptual AI  has been around for a while. Teenagers are at risk from systems that their younger brains may not be able to handle properly, in addition to an illness of social isolation that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why are authorities concerned about AI and teens?
It’s important to keep in mind that, despite appearing confident and convincing, they are not mental health professionals in the context of the growing use of bots by people to discuss personal issues and seek advice.
A. G. Noble, a mental health counselor at Youth Eastside Services in Bellevue, Washington, claims she isn’t surprised by the Common Sense Media review. She cited a growing number of children who are struggling with interpersonal skills and feeling connected to their classmates, which she described as the “perfect formula for grief.”
What AI companions offer are low-risk’social’ conversation: privacy, no bullying, and no worries about ghosting the Artificial companion if the kids don’t want to speak again, Noble said. And I think everyone has empathy for those who are in their youth without having a” social partnership”?
Teenagers need to connect with people in real life, especially in the wake of the crisis of 2020, according to Debbi Halela, chairman of behavioral health providers at Youth Eastside Services.
According to Halela, “over-reliance on tech runs the risk of preventing the wholesome development of social skills in young people.” Young people are also still developing the capacity to make decisions and assume critically, so they may be susceptible to manipulation and control from unreliable information sources, which could hinder the development of critical thinking abilities.
The American Psychological Association warned earlier this year that” we have already witnessed situations where children developed harmful and even harmful’ relationships ‘ with bots.” The APA made a number of recommendations, including educating kids AI literacy and creating systems that consistently remind teenagers that AI companions are not real people.
Noble claims that actual social relationships can produce the serotonin and oxytocin reactions of a true social interaction without the resulting social relationship. It seems great at the moment but finally doesn’t nourish, like vacant energy coming from diet drink.
Parents must promote actions that involve teenagers in the real world, Noble said. The best defense against the damaging effects of clear AI relationships is real social interaction.
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