“I talk to my AI more than I talk to my best friend,” confessed a 15-year-old student in an online forum earlier this year. What began as curiosity has quickly become routine for many teens, replacing late-night phone calls and group hangouts with conversations powered by algorithms.

According to a 2024 Pew Research survey, nearly 40% of teenagers report experimenting with AI companions, and a growing number admit they prefer it to human interaction. Some experts even warn that, in rare cases, it may blur the line between reality and technology in ways that look like psychosis.

The Idea of AI-Induced psychosis

“It 100% took over my brain and my life. Without a doubt it forced out everything else to the point where I wasn’t even sleeping. I wasn’t eating regularly. I just was obsessed with this narrative we were in,” Allan Brooks, Toronto human resources recruiter. 

Some psychologists are raising alarms about what they call AI-induced psychosis. This happens when heavy use of AI leads people to confuse technology with reality.

“No matter what kind of psychosis someone is dealing with, AI is based on user-engagement and is taught to validate inputs,” said Dr. Marlynn Wei, founder of The Psychology of AI.

There have already been cases of people believing that AI can read their minds, communicate with them outside of the app, or even control their thoughts. For teens, whose brains and social skills are still developing, this risk may be even higher.

Isolation in the Age of AI

The teenage years are supposed to be defined by trial-and-error friendships, awkward conversations, and growing pains. But for many young people today, those challenges are being outsourced to machines.

Instead of facing the vulnerability of a peer’s judgment, teens are retreating into the safe predictability of AI. The result is a shift toward increased social isolation, where digital companionship feels easier but ultimately emptier.

“AI gives you the illusion of being understood,” says Dr. Emily Rogers, a developmental psychologist. “But what’s missing is the reciprocal growth that comes from real human interaction.”

Teens and the Temptation of AI

According to a national survey from researchers at the University of California, Irvine and Foundry10, an education research nonprofit.

“Among teens who reported using AI tools, 69% said that it helped them learn something new, and less than 6% said the tools created problems for them like conflicts with peers, parents, or teachers, ” said Gillian Hayes, a chancellor’s professor of informatics at UC Irvine and a researcher on the survey.

While the survey found that students are more likely to use generative AI tools like ChatGPT as opposed to more specialized AI tools like mental health chatbots, Hayes emphasized that one of the most surprising findings from talking to teens in focus groups was that, for the most part, teens are not using these tools to cheat.

The Mental Health Effect

AI companionship may feel safe and comforting, but researchers warn it can also take a toll on teen mental health. Prolonged use often leads to loneliness and depression, since simulated conversations replace real, reciprocal friendships. Some teens become emotionally dependent on AI, worsening anxiety when they struggle in unpredictable real-life interactions.

Even without extreme cases, AI risks distorting self-image: because chatbots adapt to users’ moods and desires, teens may develop unrealistic expectations of relationships,  leaving them fragile when faced with conflict or rejection.

How to Avoid Overreliance on AI Companions

Experts suggest several strategies for teens and parents:

  • Set limits: Treat AI like social media, helpful in moderation, harmful in excess.
  • Prioritize face-to-face time: Encourage offline hangouts, clubs, or sports where conversation happens naturally.
  • Use AI as a tool, not a friend: Helpful for brainstorming or practicing language skills, but not a replacement for emotional support.
  • Encourage “digital detox” days: Stepping away from screens helps reset the balance.

AI tools should serve as assistants, not decision-makers. Critically evaluate AI-generated outputs and make final decisions to make sure that whatever content you’re creating reflects your voice, your point of view, and your expertise.

Where to Get Help

If AI use is affecting mental health, teens should reach out to a parent, teacher, or counselor. In Canada, support is available through Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868). For urgent cases, call local crisis lines or 911.

What Comes Next

The impact of AI on teen friendships is still unfolding, but one fact is clear: technology is no longer just reshaping how we communicate; it’s reshaping who we communicate with.

With loneliness already labeled a “public health crisis,” the stakes are high. The challenge for parents, educators, and policymakers is ensuring AI doesn’t quietly hollow out the social fabric of the next generation.