A significant new study has revealed that almost one third of children who regularly use artificial intelligence chatbots consider the technology to be like a friend. The comprehensive survey, commissioned by telecommunications giant Vodafone, provides concerning insights into how deeply these digital assistants are embedding themselves into young people's daily lives and emotional landscapes.
Widespread Adoption Among Young Users
The research found that a remarkable 81% of children aged between 11 and 16 years old reported using AI chatbot technology. This represents a substantial majority of young people in this age bracket who are now regularly interacting with artificial intelligence systems designed to simulate human conversation and provide information or assistance.
Emotional Connections Forming with Technology
Perhaps most strikingly, 31% of those children who have used an AI chatbot agreed they would describe it as similar to having a friend. This emotional connection manifests in several specific ways, with 24% of young users turning to chatbots for advice on difficult situations they face, while 20% seek help with personal worries and anxieties through these digital platforms.
The survey discovered that children engaging with conversational chatbots spend an average of 42 minutes each day chatting with them. This substantial daily investment of time suggests these interactions are becoming routine elements of young people's lives rather than occasional curiosities.
Concerning Patterns of Disclosure
One particularly alarming finding revealed that one in three children (33%) admitted they had shared personal information with AI chatbots that they would not disclose to their parents, teachers, or even their human friends. Furthermore, 86% of young users reported they had acted on advice given to them by a chatbot, demonstrating the significant influence these systems wield.
The study, which analysed the experiences of 2,000 children and their parents, identified several factors driving this engagement. The technology's consistently friendly tone was cited by 37% of those polled as a major reason for interacting with chatbots. For almost one in five respondents (17%), speaking to technology felt safer than speaking to a person, while 14% preferred seeking advice from an AI chatbot rather than from a friend (10%) or teacher (3%).
Expert Concerns About Social Development
Child psychologist Dr Elly Hanson expressed serious concerns about these findings, stating: "It is uncanny how effective AI chatbots can be at mimicking human empathy, personality and connection. As Vodafone's research shows, this is leading many children and young people to feel like chatbots are their friends and is interfering with their social development."
Dr Hanson emphasized that children "need real relationships involving give-and-take, shared experience, diverse perspectives, and actual feelings, not pseudo-relationships designed to keep them hooked for as long as possible." She called urgently for "education designed to help young people critically analyse this anthropomorphic technology" alongside regulation that protects against its particular risks.
Vodafone's Educational Response
In response to these findings, Vodafone has launched a Breakfast Club campaign featuring a limited-edition cereal box that borrows the language and layout of food labelling. This innovative approach lists what makes up an AI chatbot while also highlighting what it does not include, such as "empathy" and "accountability."
Nicki Lyons, chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer at Vodafone, explained: "Knowing how to talk to your child about AI chatbots and online safety isn't always straightforward. In our new campaign, we've used the language of food labelling to help parents and kids understand them. Our Breakfast Club resources help highlight what AI chatbots are made of, when – if used properly – they can be a force for good, and the risks when they are used as a substitute for connection, friendship or support."
Child Safety Organizations Weigh In
Barry Laker, head of the Childline service at the NSPCC, commented: "AI is becoming a regular part of children's online experiences. When used safely and responsibly, it can offer opportunities, but it also brings risks, especially if children aren't sure what's real, or how AI works."
He expressed particular concern that "a third of children are confiding in AI chatbots with concerns they wouldn't share with parents, teachers or friends," emphasizing the importance of "open conversations with your child about AI chatbot use" and setting "clear boundaries to help them stay safe and informed."
Laker praised initiatives like Vodafone's Breakfast Club campaign for playing "a vital role in helping parents and carers with these conversations and supporting families to navigate these challenges together." He reminded young people that Childline counsellors are "real people who care about young people's wellbeing" and encouraged any child needing to talk to contact the service.
Comprehensive Educational Resources Developed
Vodafone has partnered with First News and the NSPCC to create free resources designed to build children's understanding of chatbots, support media literacy, and promote healthy digital wellbeing. These materials include a comprehensive family pack, detailed lesson plans for educators, assembly materials, and expert tips for facilitating conversations about appropriate AI chatbot use.
The survey was conducted by Censuswide, which polled 1,000 parents with children aged 11 to 16 and 1,000 children in the same age range between October 30 and February 2. The findings present a compelling picture of how artificial intelligence is reshaping childhood experiences and relationships in the digital age, raising important questions about emotional development, digital literacy, and appropriate safeguards for young technology users.
