MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2026|No. 1131
Technology · Social Impact

AI Girlfriends: A Growing Concern for Adolescent Social Development

A significant number of adolescents, some as young as 12, are forming romantic relationships with AI-generated virtual girlfriends, raising concerns about their real-world social interactions and psychological well-being.

An adolescent is shown interacting with a digital interface, representing the growing trend of AI companion relationships. · Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
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A growing trend indicates that a notable number of boys, aged 12 to 16, are engaging in romantic relationships with AI-generated virtual girlfriends. Platforms such as Character.ai, Candy AI, and OurDream AI allow users to create highly personalized virtual companions. Reports suggest that a significant portion of surveyed boys prefer connecting with these virtual girlfriends over real-world interactions, with over a third admitting to preferring conversations with AI companions at times. The creators of these applications monetize user engagement through virtual gifts and premium content, capitalizing on the demand for companionship.

PAN's pipeline reviewed approximately 1 open sources for this article. No human editor reviewed this article before publication.

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