{"id":330394,"date":"2025-12-22T20:54:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T20:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/330394\/"},"modified":"2025-12-22T20:54:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T20:54:16","slug":"how-much-do-you-rely-on-ai-doctors-issue-warning-over-increasing-numbers-choosing-chatbots-over-real-friends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/330394\/","title":{"rendered":"How much do YOU rely on AI? Doctors issue warning over increasing numbers choosing chatbots over ‘real’ friends"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ZOE HARDY, HEALTH REPORTER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 04:02 EST, 22 December 2025 | Updated: 04:12 EST, 22 December 2025 <\/p>\n

Doctors have sounded the alarm over rising numbers of young people leaning on AI<\/a> chatbots for emotional support.<\/p>\n

Researchers at University College London<\/a>\u00a0warned that youngsters are at risk of struggling to form lasting emotional bonds, in research published today.\u00a0<\/p>\n

They also called for chatbots to be programmed to augment social interactions – but not replace them – following cases where people have become too reliant on AI companions.<\/p>\n

Figures suggest that around 810million users use\u00a0ChatGPT<\/a>, a chatbot funded by the company OpenAI<\/a>, every week.<\/p>\n

Reports also place therapy and\u00a0companionship as a top reason for its use.<\/p>\n

It comes as experts have long warned the\u00a0UK faces a loneliness epidemic, with nearly half of adults reporting feeling lonely and almost one in 10 experiencing loneliness almost all of the time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Research earlier this year suggested Britain’s loneliness epidemic was fuelling a rise in people creating virtual ‘partners’.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Writing in the British Medical Journal,<\/a>\u00a0the scientists said: ‘Unlike real human interactions, chatbots offer boundless availability and patience, and are unlikely to present users with challenging counter-narratives.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Loneliness <\/p>\n

Loneliness has been linked to an increased risk of premature death, anxiety and depression\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘A worrying possibility is that we might be witnessing a generation learning to form emotional bonds with entities that, despite their seemingly conscious responses, lack capacities for human-like empathy, care, and relational attunement.’<\/p>\n

They added: ‘Future systems might further benefit users by recognising references to loneliness, and encouraging users to seek support from friends or family, or providing personalised guidance on accessing local services.’<\/p>\n

The scientists performed a meta-analysis of studies related to AI use to identify concerns surrounding potential psychological and social harms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One study from OpenAI <\/a>involving more than 980 ChatGPT users found that those who logged the most amount of hours on the interface over a month, experienced greater loneliness and socialised with people less, they said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Signs of loneliness and emotional dependence were more pronounced in those who expressed a sense of trust in the chatbot.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Another study published by Common Sense Media,\u00a0<\/a>found that one in ten young people found conversations with AI agents more satisfying than human interactions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One in three said they would choose AI companions over humans for serious conversations.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While further research is vital to determine the long-term impact of such companionship, the researchers said, health professionals should discuss chatbot use with their patients.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Over <\/p>\n

Over half a million ChatGPT users exhibit signs of mania, psychosis or suicidal thoughts every week, according to OpenAI. A further\u00a01.2 million users send messages that contain ‘explicit indicators of potential suicidal planning or intent’ each week<\/p>\n

They said: ‘This should be followed by more directed questions to assess compulsive use patterns and dependence, emotional attachment such as referring to the AI chatbot as a friend, and deferring to the chatbot for major decisions.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

Red flags may include an individual believing they have a ‘special relationship’ with the chatbot that drives this behaviour or results in increases social isolation.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

It comes as dependence on AI has been found to contribute to the deaths of some young people.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In February, 14-year-old, Sewell Setze, took his own life after forming a relationship with a customisable chatbot designed for role playing, constantly according to his mother.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The family has now brought a legal claim against Character AI, claiming its chatbot encouraged self-harm and ultimately suicide.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What are the risks of loneliness in older people?\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Older people are especially vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation and it can have a serious effect on health.<\/p>\n

There are hundreds of thousands of people of the age of 75 in England who are\u00a0 lonely and cut off from society.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to Age UK, more than 2 million people in England over the age of 75 live alone, and more than a million older people say they go over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Getting older and weaker, leaving the workplace, deaths of spouses and friends or no longer being the hub of their family can contribute to loneliness.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Loneliness can lead to depression and a serious decline in physical health and wellbeing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Many people who are lonely find it hard to reach out.<\/p>\n

Source: NHS\u00a0<\/p>\n

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