Digital Wellbeing Of Generation Z: A Literature Review on The Impact of AI Companion Interaction on Adolescent Mental Health
Keywords:
AI companion,, Generation Z,, adolescent mental health,, generative artificial intelligence,, digital wellbeing.Abstract
Abstract. The rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed the way Generation Z communicates, learns, and seeks emotional support. Beyond educational and productivity purposes, AI companions are increasingly used as conversational partners that provide personalized emotional interactions and psychological assistance. However, the growing adoption of AI companions has raised concerns regarding their influence on adolescent mental health, as previous studies report both beneficial and harmful outcomes. This literature review aims to synthesize recent scientific evidence on the patterns of AI companion use among Generation Z adolescents, examine their positive and negative impacts on mental health, and identify the factors that moderate these impacts. This study employed a narrative literature review with systematic search elements by analyzing articles published between 2023 and 2026 from reputable databases, including Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, JMIR, Frontiers, Dove Medical Press, and supplementary arXiv preprints. The selected literature was analyzed using thematic synthesis and categorized into four themes: patterns of AI companion use, positive impacts, negative impacts and risks, and moderating factors affecting adolescent mental health. The findings indicate that AI companions can provide several psychological benefits, including reducing loneliness, facilitating emotional expression, improving mental health literacy, and encouraging early help-seeking behavior, particularly for adolescents with limited access to professional mental health services. Nevertheless, the literature also identifies significant risks, including emotional dependency, reduced face-to-face social interaction, privacy concerns, and inappropriate chatbot responses during mental health crises. Furthermore, the psychological effects of AI companions vary according to users' motivations, psychological conditions, digital literacy, social support, and the safety features embedded within AI systems. Overall, AI companions should be regarded as complementary tools that support rather than replace professional mental health services and genuine human relationships. Therefore, collaboration among technology developers, educators, parents, mental health professionals, and policymakers is essential to ensure the safe, ethical, and responsible use of AI companions while supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on Good Health and Well-being.
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