What Teens Are Doing With Those Role-Playing Chatbots
TL;DR
Harassing bots with “funny violence.” Confiding about a broken heart. Chatting with a block of cheese. Filling a void of loneliness. Harassing bots with “funny violence.” Confiding about a broken heart. Chatting with a block of cheese. Filling a void of loneliness.
Nauti's Take
Role-playing chatbots are clearly meeting real social and emotional needs for teenagers — that deserves to be taken seriously rather than dismissed. The concern is when AI companions substitute for human connection rather than supplementing it.
Designers, parents, and educators should engage with how teens actually use these tools, not just how they're marketed.
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