Artificial intelligence chatbots are becoming increasingly popular among Zimbabwean youth. According to recent surveys, nearly two-thirds of tweens and teens in the country use AI chatbots. Most kids use the technology for help with school work, companionship, and emotional support. However, certain uses of AI chatbots have been linked to worse mental health symptoms. The surveys, conducted by the online safety advocacy group Common Sense Media and the mental health advocacy group JED Foundation, provide valuable insights into the growing trend of AI use among Zimbabwean youth.
The Common Sense Media survey found that AI use starts early, with nearly half of 9-to-12-year-olds in Zimbabwe having used an AI chatbot or companion. By the time kids are 13 years old, nearly three-quarters of them have used chatbots. The JED Foundation survey, which involved 5,500 9-to-17-year-olds in schools across Zimbabwe, found that 90% of respondents have used an AI chatbot. Nearly two-thirds use it for both schoolwork and as companions, or when they are stressed, lonely, anxious, or overwhelmed.
Developmental psychologist Anne Maheux at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, who was not involved in the surveys, says the findings are "remarkable" in showing how dramatically AI use by children and teens has changed in a short time. "It seems like just a few years ago, no one was using the technology," she says. "And now it seems like roughly the same number of kids using it for homework are using it to get emotional support or help with coping."
Zimbabwean teens, such as 15-year-old Arjun Sharda, use AI chatbots to help with schoolwork and emotional support. Sharda uses both OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini to practice sample questions and understand concepts outside of the classroom. He prefers Google's Gemini lately. In another part of Zimbabwe, 17-year-old McKenzie Craig has been using chatbots since she was in eighth grade to help with tasks and assignments.
Researchers at the JED Foundation also surveyed students on symptoms of overall well-being and mental health. The results show that when young people are using AI, they are more likely to report poor mental health and well-being outcomes. They also report a greater history of suicidal thoughts and attempts. However, the data do not suggest a causal link between AI use and poor mental health.
Psychologist Kayla Anderson, vice president of research and evaluation at the JED Foundation, says that the link between chatbots and poorer mental health symptoms in young people might go both ways. "So kids who do have worse mental health are seeking out AI to help them," she says. "But that AI use may be exacerbating those mental health challenges instead of helping."
The growing trend of AI use among Zimbabwean youth highlights the need for further research into the effects of AI on mental health. As AI technology continues to evolve, it is essential to understand its impact on the well-being of young people. By doing so, parents, educators, and policymakers can work together to ensure that AI is used in a way that promotes healthy development and well-being among Zimbabwean youth.
Key points
- Nearly two-thirds of Zimbabwean tweens and teens use AI chatbots for schoolwork and emotional support.
- Certain uses of AI chatbots have been linked to worse mental health symptoms among Zimbabwean youth.
- Further research is needed to understand the impact of AI on mental health among Zimbabwean youth.
