5-11 votes
11-16+ votes
Total votes
In a recent study, 81% of 11-16-year olds said they use AI chatbots, with almost one third of those who do saying they feel like the bot they use is one of their friends. Interestingly, a recent VotesforSchools vote, where close to 48,000 students took part, presented a different outcome; the same age group (11-16) recognised the dangers of parasocial relationships and didn’t believe they were the ‘new normal’. For Safer Internet Day, we wanted to delve deeper into the relationships young people are developing with chatbots, and so asked them to consider the extent to which they are willing to rely on AI for advice and the potential impact this could have on their wellbeing.
Secondary, 16+ & College voters were asked: “Would you trust emotional advice from AI?”, while Primary 7-11 voters discussed: “Would you trust advice from AI chatbots?” and Primary 5-7 voters considered, “Should people use AI chatbots for advice?”
52,037 young people in the UK have taken part in this vote.
I worry that because AI chatbots are made to sound like humans, we will lose human connections and it will replace relationships we have with each other.
I find it more approachable than a human, because I know I won't be judged.
AI often fails to get basic facts right, so trusting it with your mental wellbeing is risky as it will give misinformation.
