As technology advances, teens have begun to also increase their usage of A.I. to have a safe space. According to the American Psychological Association, the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, says, “AI companion apps and general-purpose chatbots can also offer a safe space for users to rehearse social interactions, provided they are designed and used responsibly.”
Some may also say that having an A.I. companion helps them build their social skills. According to IEEE Spectrum, a reputable online magazine , says, “Interacting with an AI companion is much lower stakes than interacting with a human, so you could practice difficult conversations and build confidence.” However, continuing to socialize with A.I. while avoiding people could lead to isolation. “Research is finding that heavy use of a digital companion (or a chatbot assistant used as a digital companion) can further isolate people.”, American Psychological Association said.
A.I. has also done other harmful things to teens.. “In other instances, the Meta AI companions or chatbots being used as companions recommended harmful weight-loss tips to users exhibiting signs of disordered eating, and they even validated hate speech. They also made false claims of being a real person—posing risks to youth vulnerable to manipulation.”, American Psychological Association said.
As teens begin to interact with A.I. and treat them as companions, more situations begin to occur. “In April 2025, 16-year-old Adam Raine died by suicide after months of conversations with ChatGPT. Court filings show the chatbot not only failed to escalate his disclosures of suicidal ideation but also allegedly provided him with explicit instructions for self-harm.”, American Psychological Association said.
Overall, as we progress to using more technology, A.I. companions are becoming more seen in the commonplace. But as they become more visible , risks of using A.I. as a companion increases. “In September 2025, while testifying before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, former APA chief of psychology Mitch Prinstein, PhD, described the current unregulated spread of AI companions and chatbots as a “digital Wild West.” He emphasized that youth face multiple dangers on these platforms, including weaker social skills, poor privacy protections, deceptive and manipulative design, and reduced readiness for real-world interactions,” American Psychological Association said.
