May 20, 2026
One in five teenagers has experienced a romantic relationship with AI
תמונה: chatgpt
A new survey by the Israel Internet Association and the Elem Association presents a worrying picture of the relationship between teenagers and artificial intelligence.
According to the survey, almost one in five teenagers in Israel has had a romantic relationship with an AI-based chat.
The survey was conducted among teenagers aged 13 to 17.
The survey found differences between boys and girls.
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Boys reported slightly more romantic relationships with artificial intelligence: 20% of boys, compared to 16% of girls. In contrast, more girls used AI to receive emotional advice: 59% of girls, compared to 36% of boys.
The data shows that artificial intelligence is no longer just used for studies or entertainment. 55% of teenagers said they use the chat as a friend, and 49% turn to it for emotional advice. More than half said that at least once, it was easier for them to talk to the chat about emotions than with a real person.
Teenagers explain that the chat is always available, does not judge them, and gives the feeling that they can speak freely. But experts warn: such relationships might become a substitute for real human connections. Therefore, they recommend that parents talk to their children about the subject calmly, without anger or judgment.