More children turn to AI for companionship, and research suggests it may leave them lonelier
A North Carolina university study found that up to a fifth of US middle schoolers use an AI chatbot as an emotional companion. Vox reports this makes children lonelier, while South Africa's News24 describes a similar trend.
Who is affected and how
- parent
- Ask your child whether they use a chatbot as a conversation partner and what they ask of it.
- teacher
- Alongside school-based psychological warning signs, watch for students choosing a chatbot over social relationships.
- school leader
- School welfare and psychology protocols should be updated to cover the issue of AI companions.
- student
- An AI companion is no substitute for real relationships, and the articles say it may increase loneliness.
Sources
- Middle school kids are choosing AI friends over real onesthe independent · Sep 28, 2026
- Middle-Schoolers Are Seeking Out AI Friends Instead of Real Human Ones - College of Arts and Sciencescollege.unc.edu · Sep 28, 2026
- Middle school kids are choosing AI friends over real ones | The Independentindependent.co.uk · Sep 28, 2026
- Stark number of US middle school pupils would rather have an AI friend than a real oneinkl.com · Sep 28, 2026
- More kids are using ChatGPT and Claude for companionship. AI is making them lonely. | Voxvox.com · Oct 2, 2026
- More kids are using AI for companionship — and it’s making them lonelyyahoo.com · Oct 2, 2026
- SA children turn to AI for companionship | News24news24.com · Oct 2, 2026
- SA children turn to AI for companionshipnews24 · Oct 4, 2026
Machine-generated summary based on the titles and excerpts of the source articles. The facts come from the linked article.