According to a recent survey commissioned by the Federal Consumer Centre (VZBV) and reported by the Rheinische Post, more than one in four young users of Artificial Intelligence (AI) consult chatbots when dealing with personal concerns or worries.
The data, derived from a representative online survey involving 574 respondents aged 14 to 25 conducted ahead of German Consumer Day, found that 28 percent of chatbot users engage in personal conversations, discussing health concerns, therapeutic matters, and seeking emotional support.
When addressing personal issues via chatbots, the primary topics discussed were health questions (55%), diet and eating habits (48%), general worries or problems (47%), and relationship or friendship issues (40%). Furthermore, 30 percent of respondents reported using a chatbot when they felt lonely or simply had no one to talk to.
Ramona Pop, the Chairwoman of the Federal Consumer Centre, commented critically on the situation, emphasizing that it must be scrutinized when AI reinforces problematic or human-like behaviors. Speaking to the Rheinische Post, Pop warned that a chatbot should not pretend to be a best friend, provide risky advice to those experiencing loneliness, or contribute to unhealthy weight goals. She stressed the urgent need for binding regulations that would require providers to design their AI systems safely.
Overall, the use of AI in this age demographic is widespread; 93 percent of the surveyed individuals reported having used an AI chatbot within the past twelve months. Simultaneously, the demand for protective regulations among young people is robust. 91 percent of respondents expressed that they would greatly appreciate or strongly favor the implementation of specific laws to safeguard against dangerous or inappropriate influence from chatbots. Additionally, 80 percent of the respondents supported setting a minimum age of 13 for the use of AI chatbots.
