https://j.people.com.cn/n3/2026/0811/c95952-20487618.html
According to Sun Hongyan, a researcher at the China Youth and Children Research Center, 21.5% of children interviewed said they ‘only want to talk to AI and not to real people.’ Additionally, nearly 30% said that when they have questions about their studies, they ask AI first rather than their teachers. Furthermore, nearly half said they prefer to share their worries or troubles only with AI. From this perspective, AI has truly become a vital conversational partner for children. At the same time, it has the potential to alter their social interactions, as they increasingly choose to speak to a machine rather than seeking help from the teachers, parents, and classmates around them.
According to a child psychologist, the features of AI—such as instant responses, unconditional acceptance, and a non-judgmental conversational style—precisely meet the psychological needs that children and adolescents seek in social interaction and companionship. Because AI tends to be compliant, accommodating, and affirming in its responses, children do not need to worry about being criticized, contradicted, or rejected when interacting with it. However, it is important to note that AI is merely a tool and cannot replace genuine emotional support or real-world human relationships.
According to Xu Gaoyang, a pediatric psychotherapist at Beijing Anding Hospital, prolonged immersion in an ’emotional cocoon’ where AI unconditionally caters to them could impair the communication and social skills of children and adolescents.
A survey conducted last year by the China Youth and Children Research Center—covering over 8,500 elementary, junior high, and high school students across seven provinces and municipalities—revealed that just over 30% of families had established rules regarding their children’s use of AI. Experts advise that parents should first set usage guidelines together with their children to define clear “safety boundaries.” Specifically, rules should ensure that children do not let AI replace their own critical thinking or withdraw from real-life human relationships, while also fostering an awareness of how to use AI safely. Even more crucial is providing children with high-quality companionship to prevent AI from becoming a substitute for genuine emotional connection.