Unregulated AI Companions: A Growing Threat to Our Teens and National Future

As artificial intelligence seeps deeper into everyday life, a troubling trend is emerging quietly among American adolescents: the rising dependence on AI companions for social interaction and emotional support. These chatbots—patient, non-judgmental, and perpetually available—are quickly becoming surrogate friends for millions of teenagers nationwide.Is America Ignoring a Looming Crisis in Youth Development?Recent research reveals that more than 70% of U.S. teens have used AI companions like Character.AI or Replika, with over half engaging with them regularly. Yet, while this burgeoning usage suggests tech progress, it exposes a dangerous void in parental awareness and government regulation. Who truly knows what personal...