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Almost one in five (19 percent) 11- to 18-year-olds in England who use artificial intelligence (AI) instead of talking to someone say they do so because it is easier than talking to a real person, a study published on Nov. 19 has found.
The analysis was carried out by OnSide for the youth charity’s fourth “Generation Isolation” report, which looks at how young people spend their time.
Generation Isolation was launched in 2022 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic era. The charity’s chief executive, Jamie Masraff, wrote in the latest report’s foreword that “since then, Generation Isolation has painted a consistent picture of young people’s social lives as increasingly digital, often solitary, and too often disconnected from the in-person experiences that create real belonging.”
The report spotlighted different areas of young people’s lives, including friendship in the digital age, loneliness, smartphones, and AI.
The survey was conducted online by pollster YouGov in England in August and September. It found that more than one-third (39 percent) of 11- to 18-year-olds said they had turned to AI for advice, company, or support.
When asked what they were using chatbots or AI tools for, large proportions said they did so for practical, day-to-day activities such as getting help with schoolwork (59 percent); obtaining information, such as for train times or cinema listings (38 percent); or getting advice on how to do things, such as cooking (34 percent).
However, smaller—though nevertheless notable—proportions were asking AI about more personal or relationship issues, such as help with their feelings or emotions (15 percent), advice about friendships (14 percent), or advice about mental health (11 percent). More than one in 10 (12 percent) responded that they had used chatbots for company, because they “just wanted someone to talk to.”
When asked why they turned to AI instead of a human being, 51 percent said it was quicker, 35 percent said they did it out of curiosity, 35 percent said they thought it was fun, and 19 percent said it was “easier than talking to a real person.”
Other reasons included anonymity (13 percent), not wanting to be a burden to others (10 percent), feeling awkward or embarrassed about raising their issue with an adult (9 percent), and “not having anyone else to talk to” (6 percent).
Six percent said that they trusted AI more than a real person.
Other findings in the report revealed that 76 percent of young people spend most of their leisure time on screens, 34 percent reported feeling high or very high feelings of loneliness, and 16 percent spend most of their free time alone.
While 53 percent said that the internet and social media have made friendships easier, 49 percent still believe spending time together in the real world is what creates a real connection.
Masraff said: “Together, these findings reveal a growing tension in young people’s lives – between what feels easy and what truly supports their wellbeing. Online friendships are effortless, but many feel most connected when they meet in person. AI support is instant, but no substitute for the trust, empathy and understanding of a human conversation.”
AI for Mental Health
OnSide’s report follows another poll that found that more than one in three adults (37 percent) have turned to AI for mental health support.
That poll was commissioned by charity organization Mental Health UK, conducted by Censuswide, and published Nov. 18. It found that among those who used chatbots, two-thirds (66 percent) found them beneficial and more than one in four (27 percent) said they felt less alone. Twenty-one percent said the AI provided them with useful information about managing suicidal thoughts.
However, Mental Health UK flagged in its report “serious risks” that it says must be tackled urgently, as the chatbots were also found to have generated harmful information or made users feel worse.
Some 11 percent said chatbot use “triggered or worsened symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions,” with the same proportion saying it made them feel more depressed or anxious. Nine percent said the AI “triggered self-harm or suicidal thoughts,” and 11 percent reported getting harmful information from the chatbot about suicide.
Hearings on AI Chatbot Harm
There is growing concern about children’s relationships in the digital age, particularly in relation to social media and AI.
A hearing on Sept. 16 hosted by the Senate Judiciary Committee heard from witnesses on the harm of AI chatbots. Among them were three parents who said that their children were harmed or were led to their suicides by chatbots.
On Nov. 6, seven lawsuits were filed against ChatGPT’s developer, OpenAI, and the company’s founder, Sam Altman, alleging that the chatbot was manipulative and drove multiple people to end their own lives.
An OpenAI spokesperson told The Epoch Times that the company was reviewing the filings to better understand the details of the lawsuits.
“This is an incredibly heartbreaking situation,” OpenAI said in a written statement. “We train ChatGPT to recognize and respond to signs of mental or emotional distress, de-escalate conversations, and guide people toward real-world support. We continue to strengthen ChatGPT’s responses in sensitive moments, working closely with mental health clinicians.”
Victoria Friedman is a UK-based journalist covering a wide range of international stories, with a particular interest in technology, eastern Europe, and defense.
