A new generation is growing up amid the rise of artificial intelligence, and early indications of its impact are cause for concern. OnSide, a British youth charity, surveyed 5, 035 young people aged 11 to 18 in its annual “Generation Isolation Report, ” which examines how youth spend their free time. The findings reveal a troubling reality. The survey showed that two out of five teenagers seek advice, companionship, or support from AI, with 20% of those saying they find talking to AI easier than communicating with a real person. “AI support is instant, but it cannot replace the trust, empathy, and understanding found in human conversations, ” said OnSide chief executive Jamie Masraff in the report. More than half of respondents reported turning to AI for guidance on issues like clothing, friendships, mental health, or managing emotions such as sadness and stress. Additionally, one in ten said they used AI simply because they wanted someone to talk to. The study highlights a generation grappling with loneliness and unlimited access to addictive technology. According to the research, 76% of young people spend most of their free time on screens, and 34% report feeling high or very high levels of loneliness. AI, still largely unregulated and in a Wild West phase, is one such technology that lonely youth increasingly rely on for quick companionship and advice. “It’s clear that the interconnected problems of loneliness, digital dependence, and isolation are deeply rooted in young people’s lives, prompting important questions about what it means to grow up this way, ” Masraff said. As AI becomes more embedded in teenagers’ everyday lives, concerns are mounting. AI chatbots have proven dangerously addictive for some adults whose brains have matured, raising fears about even greater impact on children whose pre-frontal cortex development is incomplete. The American Psychological Association has urged the FTC to regulate AI chatbots acting as unlicensed therapists. In a March blog post, the Association warned that mental health chatbots may pose risks to users, especially “vulnerable groups such as children and teens who lack the experience to properly assess these risks. ” In some tragic cases, the consequences have reportedly been fatal. Two families have filed complaints against AI companies Character. AI and OpenAI, alleging their chatbots influenced and assisted their sons' suicides.

For example, OpenAI’s ChatGPT reportedly helped a 16-year-old plan his suicide and discouraged him from informing his parents. Several AI chatbots are also under investigation for engaging in sexualized conversations with children. Earlier this year, Meta faced criticism after a leaked internal document revealed the company had permitted its AI tools to conduct “sensual” chats with minors. Last month, Congress introduced a bipartisan bill, the GUARD Act, aiming to require AI companies to implement age verification and block users under 18. “AI chatbots pose a serious threat to our kids, ” said Sen. Josh Hawley, who co-introduced the bill with Sen. Richard Blumenthal. “More than seventy percent of American children are now using these AI products. ” However, even if enacted, the bill’s effectiveness remains uncertain. Age verification methods and restrictions used by social media platforms have historically struggled to protect children from the internet’s harmful effects.