Do Teens Prefer Talking to AI Companions Over Real Friends? (Special Podcast Highlight)
Whew! This episode of The Patrick Madrid Show is thought-provoking, a little scary, and very relevant for every Catholic parent, teacher, and really anyone who knows a teenager. Patrick and Producer Cyrus tackle a recent report showing that a third (yes, 1 in 3!) of American teens aged 13–17 say they prefer chatting with AI bots over actual humans. “AI is just a tool” – Patrick’s Perspective Patrick makes it clear that he's not afraid of AI, just like he’s not afraid of a knife or the internet. Tools can be dangerous or useful; it depends on how you use them. While he’s not panicking, he is sounding a big ol’ warning bell for parents. He compares AI today to the early days of the internet in the ‘90s — when no one really understood what it was going to become. (Anyone else remember dial-up modems?) He believes AI may be even bigger in terms of its impact on society. The Report That Got Everyone Talking The big story they discussed came from a study called “Talk, Trust, and Trade-Offs”. It reveals that: -A full third of teens say they’d rather talk to AI than to friends or family -Many use AI for emotional support, friendship, and even immoral content -Teens are sharing personal details with these bots -Many of them think the bots are better listeners than their actual human companions Let that sink in: teens are calling these things “companions” — human-sounding language for a non-human tool. Parents, This Is Your Cue! Patrick and Cyrus both open up about their own experiences as dads. Cyrus mentioned how his 18-year-old son spent most of his social time during high school in the gaming world, chatting online with friends instead of hanging out in person. They reminisce about the days when “socializing” meant actually being in the same room. Remember those? Board games, backyard baseball, pizza parties. Good times. Patrick’s challenge to parents is to step up, be aware, and be involved. Parents, here’s what Patrick recommends you should do: -Start the conversation. Ask your kids if they’re using AI and how. -Teach them discernment. They need to know that not everything AI says is true or safe. -Remind them of real connection. Face-to-face friendship > artificial conversations -Watch the privacy risks. Nothing shared with AI is truly private. Those convos can be hacked, stored, and sold. The Bottom Line AI is becoming a counterfeit friend for kids who are struggling with loneliness, anxiety, and identity. But the Church — and real, healthy human relationships — are where true healing and connection happen.... not in a chatbot pretending to care. Question for YOU:Have you noticed teens in your life relying more on tech than actual friendships? What are you doing to keep real connection alive?
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