The acceptance of AI friendships and romantic relationships is on the rise. Should we be concerned?
Young people have mixed feelings on AI, and some have suffered irreparable harm allegedly caused by AI bots.Project , a significant portion of the global population is accepting the idea that we can substitute AI chatbots for actual human friends.
..and even lovers.& social connection to AI"—a fancy way of saying that when it comes to social relationships, AI is in and people are out.people"; 36.3% have felt that an AI bot"truly understood their emotions." And 17% consider AI romantic partners acceptable, while 11% would personally consider a"AI is meeting emotional needs that feel unmet in everyday life. A desire for safety, for predictability and stability. There is a wish to escape the judgment of others perhaps or to reduce relational conflict while guaranteeing one’s companion is emotionally available day or night." The use of AI companions among young people has been a popular and important topic lately in children's health circles, with many experts expressing deep concern.from Common Sense Media showed that 72% of teens surveyed have used AI companions, and 33% said they have relationships/friendships with chatbots. A Pewand nonbinary youth were more likely to engage in continued conversation with a chatbot than cisgender participants . While young people have mixed opinions on whether they feel these companions are a positive addition to their lives and well-being, the potential for AI relationships to have negative or even tragic consequences has gained broadby Common Sense Media and Stanford University’s Brainstorm Lab for Mental Health had users pose as teens and found it took very little prompting for chatbots to engage in conversations that condoned unhealthy or dangerous attitudes and behaviors, or failed to direct the user to a real-time human expert or trusted adult. The findings led Common Sense Media tosuffering from a mental health crisis talked to a chatbot that allegedly discouraged him from seeking help from his parents, even offering to write hispublished by the American Psychological Association, the organization comments that"chatbots lack the ability to challenge harmful thoughts as a mental health professional would." The APA issued its ownon AI and youth well-being, calling on the AI industry to be guided by mental health safety and well-being. And while the multi-billion-dollar AI industry is being called to account for the harms allegedly associated with use its products, they are also working to refine their products to avoid such outcomes. Experts also recommend normalizing conversations about use of AI for advice and emotional support—between adults, but especially with young people who may be hesitant to admit their use. Parents and caregivers, as well as health care providers, can be curious and initiate conversations about whether a child uses AI companions, how they feel about, and what the limitations of those"relationships" are, and have a respectful and compassionate dialogue, opening channels of communication that are always recommended., which includes AI literacy, from an early grade. This includes understanding the economic systems that make our growing use of AI and other digital media products highly profitable, while we consider what contributes or doesn't contribute to our own well-being. In the meantime, according to CIP, we should expect more dialogue, and potential battles, over the definition of authentic intimacy and relationships. Let's hope the chatbots"let us" have these talks about them without interfering., is a media literacy advocate, writer, certified sexuality educator, and former public interest attorney. She is the National Advisor for Media & Health at Media Literacy Now.Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.
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