Technology · 31 January 2026
Gen Z relies on AI chatbots to fight loneliness crisis
Photo by Olena Kamenetska on Unsplash
A 23-year-old remote worker revealed he conversed with ChatGPT eight times daily to cope with isolation, highlighting a wider trend among Gen Z. Statistics show 33% of young adults feel lonely, while a recent report indicates 39% of teenagers now turn to AI chatbots for companionship. Many find digital interactions easier than human contact, prompting concerns about a loneliness crisis exacerbated by the attention economy and excessive digital media usage.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs