In the United States, one in five teenagers use artificial intelligence chatbots for romantic relationships. Almost half consider AI to be their friend. Teenagers in Australia too are increasingly turning to AI bots for connection. An RMIT expert explains how the bonds teens are developing with AI chatbots have the potential to impact emotional development.
Professor Diana Bowman, Dean, RMIT School of Law:
“Wherever you stand on the AI debate, the fact is young people are bonding with AI and the impact on their mental health and development could stay with them for life.
“When teens connect with AI instead of their peers, they don’t experience the difficult parts of relationships. Adolescence is a tumultuous time for most of us, but it’s that turmoil that helps strengthen emotional regulation, conflict management, and a person’s capacity for healthy relationships.
“AI chatbots validate and support users without rejection or conflict. They can reinforce and even reward negative behaviours like control and jealousy, rather than providing support, human empathy, or new perspectives.
“On top of this, they are designed to be addictive, further pulling young people from real life relationships. They may have been trained using biased, inaccurate, and potentially dangerous data.
“In Australia we have seen some hopeful changes in regulating this kind of tech like the federal government’s recently proposed digital duty of care.
“Regulations that respect adolescents’ autonomy and online use, while preventing them from bonding with and becoming emotionally dependent on AI chatbots is necessary.
“This isn’t the sole responsibility of governments. AI companies have their part to play to ensure the responsible development and training of their technologies, and parents and caregivers also need to take an active role in promoting the safe use of technology by their children.”
Professor Diana Bowman is the Dean of RMIT’s School of Law. Her research is focused on the governance of emerging technologies and public health law.
Read the article: When Teens Bond with Machines: A Developmental Perspective on the New Frontier of Generative AI Policy and Adolescents’ Relationships published in The American Journal of Public Health .
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