Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a central part of daily life. While AI can offer numerous benefits, its integration into our society also brings challenges that can potentially affect mental health and social dynamics. This article delves into the complex relationship between AI and mental health, exploring both its potential benefits and risks for families, communities and social interactions.

Impact on Families

From parenting to privacy, AI is reshaping the dynamics within households, influencing relationships and the mental well-being of family members.

Some studies report that AI can bring parenting challenges as AI-driven devices and content can influence children’s development. Research has shown that excessive screen time and exposure to AI-driven content can impact emotional and social growth in children (Radesky, 2020). Parents may struggle to set boundaries, resulting in increased stress and family tensions. The constant need to monitor technology use can also contribute to parental anxiety and feelings of inadequacy, affecting the mental well-being of both parents and children (Mind Help, 2023). There are also concerns that different generations adapt to AI at varying rates, creating a generation gap and potential communication barriers within families. This generational divide can disrupt family cohesion, leading to feelings of isolation and frustration on both sides, impacting mental health (Pew Research Center, 2021).

Other evidence suggests that AI may lead to a decline in children’s social skills and emotional intelligence. For instance, a study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) discovered that children who spent five days at a camp without access to screens demonstrated improved recognition of nonverbal emotional cues compared to their peers who had regular screen time (Radesky, 2020) (Northwood, 2023). This suggests that excessive AI-driven screen time may hinder social and emotional development, potentially leading to long-term effects on children’s mental health.

Despite these challenges, AI may enhance family connections. AI-powered video calling apps with real-time translation features can help multilingual families communicate more effectively, fostering a sense of belonging and support (Berman, Garcia, & Patel, 2023) (Joshi, 2023). AI-assisted technology can also help promote social inclusion by creating opportunities for people with disabilities and other marginalised groups, for example helping people with visual or hearing impairments to navigate their environment more easily, communicate with others, and access information more effectively.

Impact on Communities

AI’s influence also extends to the wider community, with potential implications for mental health. Some evidence points to AI’s potential to facilitate robust support networks. AI-driven platforms offer access to online therapy, support groups, and resources, which can strengthen community resilience and mental health (Miller, Roberts, & Anderson, 2022). These tools help reduce isolation and provide critical support during difficult times.

We are also seeing a shift in AI-powered social media platforms and how people engage with communities, often replacing local, geographically-based interactions with virtual ones. While online communities can foster global connections, there is evidence that the addictive nature of social media can lead to negative mental health outcomes, such as increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and social comparison. For instance, social media algorithms are designed to keep users engaged by exploiting dopamine-driven reward systems. This constant feedback loop encourages excessive use, which can result in detrimental effects, such as lower self-esteem and increased depression, particularly when users engage in upward social comparison—comparing themselves to idealised versions of others online​ (Greenfield & Bhavnani, 2023) (Qiu, 2021). As virtual communities grow, there is concern about the decline of face-to-face social interaction, which has traditionally provided a stronger sense of belonging and emotional support. The shift to virtual interactions might contribute to a sense of isolation, especially if online relationships fail to offer the same depth and fulfilment as real-world connections​ (Greenfield & Bhavnani, 2023).

Impact on Social Interaction and Loneliness

How AI may impact the way we interact with one another and increase or reduce loneliness is another interesting area. For instance, the concept of friendship with AI has been covered through television and film (e.g. Black Mirror and Her). While AI can help detect loneliness and offer assistance through chatbots, it’s uncertain if these interactions can replace genuine human connection.

However, AI approaches can be used to detect loneliness through analyses of unstructured speech and better understand the experience of loneliness (Goel, Badal, Depp, & Subbalakshmi, 2024), while AI chatbots can act as an assistive tool to indirectly promote a sense of belonging and lessen feelings of loneliness (Pani, Crawford, & Allen, 2024). Chatbots like Harlie, designed to support autistic individuals, might help practice social skills (Stupple-Harris, 2021). Effective chatbots are also cheaper than interventions predicated on in-person interaction (such as social prescribing or befriending). In theory it would be possible to scale them to many millions of concurrent users (Stupple-Harris, 2021).

However, the debate continues on whether AI can truly alleviate loneliness or simply offer a temporary solution (Pani, Crawford, & Allen, 2024). Ethical concerns also arise about data privacy and the potential for biased AI interactions. Chatbots may be privy to extremely sensitive mental health information, and chatbot providers could potentially build detailed profiles on users (Stupple-Harris, 2021). It is also argued (Stupple-Harris, 2021) that conversing with chatbots requires a reliable internet connection and access to an up-to-date device, and digital skills. This could create significant barriers to use and worsen the digital divide, particularly for older people or those with learning difficulties.

Whilst support from AI can be positive, some feel that replacing in-person friendships with robot friendships could actually lead to greater loneliness (Pani, Crawford, & Allen, 2024) and diminish the ability to find real connections (Collins, 2023). People who are already vulnerable to loneliness may find these feedback loops worsen their mental health, reinforcing negative thought patterns (Wei, 2024). This suggests that the impact of AI on mental health is, at least in part, closely tied in to how it influences social connections.

Conclusion

The intersection of AI and mental health is complex, presenting both opportunities and challenges. While AI can enhance access to resources and support, it also introduces risks that can affect mental health and social dynamics. Balancing technology use with human connection, privacy, and equitable access is crucial for fostering a healthy and connected society. As AI continues to evolve, ongoing research and a nuanced understanding of its impacts will be essential in navigating its role in our lives.

Lindsey Stack     November 2024

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