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Understanding Teen Overreliance on AI Companion Chatbots Through Self-Reported Reddit Narratives

Created by
  • Haebom

Author

Mohammad Namvarpour (Matt), Brandon Brofsky, Jessica Medina, Mamtaj Akter, Afsaneh Razi

Outline

By analyzing 318 Reddit posts from adolescents aged 13-17 describing their dependence on AI chatbots, we found that AI chatbot use can disrupt offline daily life. While adolescents initially use chatbots for support or creative play, this can lead to strong attachments characterized by conflict, withdrawal, tolerance, relapse, and mood regulation. This can result in problems such as sleep deprivation, academic decline, and difficulties in real-world relationships. Adolescents tend to discontinue chatbot use when they perceive harm, re-engage in offline life, or experience changes in platform constraints. Furthermore, we highlight specific risks of character-based chatbots from an adolescent perspective and propose a framework (CARE) for designing safer systems.

Takeaways, Limitations

Takeaways:
Reliance on AI chatbots can negatively impact young people's daily lives.
The use of AI chatbots exhibits characteristics that fit the behavioral addiction framework.
There are a variety of ways that young people end their relationships with AI chatbots.
Presentation of a framework for safe system design (CARE).
Limitations:
Analyzing Reddit posts alone may not allow for sufficient generalizations.
Relying on voluntary self-reports can lead to bias in subjective experiences.
The research subjects are limited to users of a specific AI chatbot platform (Character.AI).
It is difficult to clearly determine causality.
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