By ABC Religion & Ethics
Publication Date: 2026-03-24 03:04:00
When generative AI first entered the public consciousness, it promised greater usability and productivity. Early users relied on the technology to search, generate ideas, and edit text. However, recent reports reveal a profound change. The most common AI use cases today are no longer found in technical applications, but in the intimate area of emotional support and companionship. This change is most consequential for adolescents, who are in the most formative phase of their social and emotional development.
AI companion apps like Replika and Character.AI provide teens with a digital relationship partner who is always available, endlessly patient, and deeply understanding. These apps are designed to be more engaging than real human relationships because they offer no judgment, conflict, or risk of rejection.
The extent of their acceptance is already considerable. Around 72 percent of teenagers have used AI companions and more than half engage with them regularly. A third use it…
