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Phys.org — Social Sciences · September 23, 2026 · On the brief until October 7, 2026

AI companions may erode social skills among isolated users, framework suggests

PsychologySocial WorkSociology
THE AI ANGLE
acting as an emotional substitute for isolated users

Researchers introduced a framework showing how AI companions can deepen social inequality by eroding interpersonal skills among isolated users who substitute bots for human connection. The study adapts the Swiss cheese model to show how aligned failures in user AI literacy, social networks, platform design, and regulation create systemic risk. It recommends recognizing AI companions as health-related technologies to mandate stronger privacy, age-appropriate design, and crisis-response protocols.

Summary written by AI Business Lens with an AI model from the article at phys.org. It is not the article, and the publisher has not reviewed it. For publishers.

THE TEACHING ANGLE
How can policy and platform design protect vulnerable, isolated populations from social deskilling without restricting access to digital mental health tools?

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