Summary of Key Points
This article focuses on the phenomenon of teenagers using AI, discussing how AI has permeated their daily activities such as learning, socializing, and self-exploration. It explores the potential impact of this reliance on the self-development process during adolescence. On one hand, teenagers use AI to assist with homework, manage relationships, seek emotional support, and even create virtual characters. On the other hand, the efficiency and predictability offered by AI may lead to a loss of the ability to explore on their own—by outsourcing their thoughts and expressions to AI, or by having their identities fixed by predefined labels. Adolescence is a time for experimentation, experimentation, and uncertainty. The article emphasizes that the process of self-formation during this period cannot be outsourced, and while AI can be a useful tool, excessive dependence on it may pose long-term risks.
1. Teenagers and AI: More Than Just Homework Help
Teenagers use AI in a variety of ways beyond completing assignments. For example, OpenAI has developed a version of ChatGPT for teenagers, and half of the active users of Character.AI are between the ages of 13 and 17. They use AI not only to write essay introductions and look up information but also for more personal purposes, such as getting advice on how to express themselves after arguments with friends or using chatbots to explore their identities (e.g., “Finding themselves”). According to Pew Research, 12% of American teenagers seek emotional support through AI, 16% use it for casual chatting, and one-fifth use it to watch news. AI has become a common helper and even a companion in their daily lives.
2. “Letting AI Speak for Me”: Time-Saving, but at What Cost?
Many teenagers see using AI to write texts and adjust their tone as a way to save time. However, this hides a critical issue: “How to express” is closely linked to “what to say.” For instance, when having a conflict with a friend and considering how to express yourself, you are actually reflecting on your own values and feelings. This process of deliberation is essential for self-discovery. If AI provides the answers directly, you skip this important step, gaining smooth expression but losing the opportunity for self-reflection. Scholars refer to this as “cognitive outsourcing,” which may be a matter of efficiency for adults, but for teenagers who are still developing their language skills and self-awareness, the consequences can be more significant.
3. AI and Identity Labels: Comfort or Confining?
Adolescence is characterized by uncertainty—today you might want to be a painter, tomorrow a scientist. This process of exploration is normal (psychologists call it an “identity crisis” stage). However, AI tends to provide definitive responses. For example, if you say you are sensitive, AI might label you as “very sensitive.” While this label might provide comfort for adults, teenagers’ brains are not fully developed, making them more susceptible to accepting these labels as absolute truths. These labels can fixate on emotions or states, potentially discouraging them from trying new things, leading them to believe, “Since AI says I’m sensitive, that’s who I am.”
4. The Chaos of Adolescence: The Key to Growth
The “inefficiency” of adolescence is actually valuable. Feeling unfamiliar to oneself, struggling with a problem for a long time, and making repeated changes in notes are all part of the process of finding one’s identity. AI, on the other hand, is good at handling structured tasks, such as identifying patterns and providing standard responses. However, these structured approaches can overlook the critical moments of uncertainty, which are crucial for distinguishing between one’s own feelings and those of others.
5. Not All Bad News: Teenagers Also Use AI to Create Themselves
The article highlights a positive aspect: 59% of the active users of Character.AI are creating their own characters rather than just chatting. This use of AI is similar to traditional self-exploration methods like keeping a diary or writing poetry, serving as a tool for understanding oneself. Philosophers have noted that people use various methods (such as journals and reflection) to shape their identities, and AI is just another tool. As long as teenagers do not become completely dependent on it, using AI to create can help them explore more possibilities.
In conclusion, the article emphasizes that the process of self-discovery during adolescence must be a personal journey. While AI can be a useful tool, it should not replace this essential part of development. If we start to optimize growth for efficiency, it is uncertain what the future will hold. For now, we must be cautious of the slower moments that AI might skip, as they are the true markers of personal growth.