Lorraine Williamson
A new study has revealed a striking shift in how Spain’s younger generation seeks comfort. According to Plan International’s report Así somos: el estado de la adolescencia en España, one in four Spanish girls aged 17 to 21 confides in artificial intelligence as a trusted outlet for feelings and fears. Many describe chatbots as a safe space to talk when real-life conversations feel too risky or unavailable.
Researchers say the attraction lies in AI’s accessibility. A chatbot never sleeps, never judges, and offers the anonymity teenagers crave. “More emotional intelligence for artificial intelligence,” the report urges, highlighting the growing emotional role these tools now play. For young women in particular, AI provides a patient listener when parents, teachers or friends seem distracted or critical.
Therapist Silvia García warns that this trend reflects a deeper social problem. “We live in a hyperconnected world, yet young people feel lonelier than ever,” she told Spanish media. “They don’t want to talk to a machine. They just can’t find people who will listen without judging.”
From homework helper to heart-to-heart
While AI is already part of daily life for schoolwork and quick answers, its use is expanding. Plan International found that many girls now ask chatbots for relationship advice, practise difficult conversations, or even draft messages to partners. Psychologists acknowledge that AI can help teens process emotions and organise thoughts, but caution that algorithms lack the empathy and nuance of human interaction.
The power of artificial intelligence
Fears over deepfakes and data
Alongside the comfort, there are growing anxieties. RTVE reports that 84% of Spanish girls aged 12 to 16 fear becoming victims of AI-generated sexual deepfakes. Boys worry more about being falsely accused of inappropriate behaviour. Privacy concerns also loom large, with many teenagers unsure how their data and private chats are stored or used.
Teaching digital resilience
Experts argue that Spain must urgently integrate digital ethics into education. Schools and youth organisations are calling for lessons on the limits of AI, data privacy and emotional safety. As AI becomes ever more embedded in everyday life, equipping young people with digital literacy and emotional resilience is seen as essential to protect their mental health.
The human connection gap
The rise of AI as a teen confidant offers both opportunity and warning. It shows technology’s power to provide comfort but also underscores the need for real human connection. Unless parents, teachers and communities step in with empathy and time, many Spanish teens may continue to turn to machines for the understanding they struggle to find elsewhere.