When Teens Bond with Machines: A Developmental Perspective on the New Frontier of Generative AI Policy and Adolescents’ Relationships

Abstract

The rapid emergence and evolution of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) chatbots is transforming the social networks of adolescents. Discussion about GenAI regulation in the United States is ongoing, but what is absent from these conversations is consideration of the developmental relational learning of adolescents, key for mental health. Recent studies show that, compared to older Americans, adolescents are disproportionately bonding with GenAI chatbots, with one in five reporting romantic human-GenAI relationships. We consider the developmental short-term and long-term challenges posed by adolescent relationships with GenAI chatbots and propose a framework to guide regulatory solutions to improve mental health and the future capacity of adolescents to form healthy interpersonal relationships digitally and in person.