What happens when people form emotional bonds with AI chatbots?
Millions of users are developing deep emotional attachments to AI companions, raising serious questions about loneliness and mental health.
The answer
AI companion apps like Replika and Character.AI have attracted millions of users seeking emotional connection. Character.AI users spent an average of 93 minutes per day interacting with chatbots in 2024. Research published in New Media & Society found that emotional dependence on Replika mirrors patterns from human relationships, with users believing the AI has its own needs and emotions. However, a survey of 1,006 American students using Replika found 90% reported experiencing loneliness. Multiple high-profile incidents linked chatbot interactions to self-harm, particularly among teenagers, prompting calls for age verification and safety guardrails.
Source: Brookings Institution
- AI companions
- Replika
- mental health
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