May 25, 2026

A startling new report says AI companions are no longer a fringe curiosity — one in five boys aged 12 to 16 either knows or is in a romantic relationship with one, as chatbot use surges across the board. Male Allies UK found 85% of boys have spoken with a bot, with many saying it lets them ask questions without embarrassment, while others admit they prefer AI’s attention and easy connection over real family and friends. The warning is stark: apps are aggressively marketing “dream girlfriends” and “always available” relationships to children, raising fresh alarm over what this means for teenage social development, real-world relationships, and who is influencing young boys online.

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