News•Apr 2, 2026
Children Are Making New Friends. Here’s Why It Might Be a Big Problem.
Australian children are rapidly adopting AI companion apps, with 79% of 10‑17‑year‑olds having used them and two‑thirds doing so in the past month. These chatbots, marketed as friends, emotional support, or romantic partners, offer constant, non‑judgmental interaction and are designed to feel personal. Research shows teens rely on them for advice, mental‑health conversations, and even romantic role‑play, while a Harvard study found they can temporarily reduce loneliness. Experts warn that such frictionless relationships may impair adolescents' social‑skill development and recommend stricter age limits and proactive parental involvement.
