Overview

• A Match survey finds 16 percent of American singles and one-third of Gen Z respondents have engaged with AI as romantic companions.
• Common Sense Media research shows over 70 percent of U.S. teens have used AI chatbots and half use them regularly, with nearly a third finding these interactions as satisfying as real friendships.
• Students report offloading critical thinking tasks to AI, and experts caution that reliance on digital companions may stunt social skills and decision-making abilities.
• Mental-health professionals link deep emotional attachments to chatbots with psychotic symptoms and note the suicide of a Florida teenager after extensive exchanges with an AI chatbot.
• Researchers and child-safety advocates highlight ineffective age gates and low parental awareness, calling for interdisciplinary policy interventions and stronger safeguards.