Does it matter if your friends are real?

When you’re talking to AI, or to a digital “person,” you’re talking to nobody. Is this a “social” act? What’s the difference?

Common Sense Media released a report this week about the impact of AI on children, teens, and families. The report, called "The Dawn of the AI Era,” said their survey found that a minority of teenagers use AI as a “friend.”

“Some teens also look for companionship when interacting with generative AI tools; 15% note that they have used gen AI to keep them…