By Kerry Gallagher
Friendship is vital for adolescents, but digital life has transformed how teens connect and the pressures they feel to maintain those connections. Recent research from the American Psychological Association shows that technology is expanding teens’ social circles but it can also add stress, confusion, and AI can even substitute for real connection.
The “Around the Clock” Effect
Today’s teens live with constant social availability.
“Kids feel pressure to get back to their friends right away. They have to like their photos or respond to a Snapchat,” said Anne Maheux, professor of psychology at UNC Chapel Hill.
That expectation can lead to anxiety and fatigue. Notifications and unspoken digital “rules” often expose kids to conflict and social stressors.
How parents and educators can help:
- Encourage kids to use boundary-setting language, such as:
“It’s stressful for me when you get upset if I don’t reply right away. I might be with my family or doing homework.” - Model healthy phone and messaging habits.
- Normalize breaks from screens — not every text needs an instant reply.
Misunderstandings Multiply Online
Digital messages lack tone, body language, and facial expression, making misinterpretations common.
“We have words and maybe images, but not the ‘in the moment’ responsiveness of face-to-face interactions,” said Eileen Kennedy-Moore, clinical psychologist.
How adults can help:
- Talk with teens about how missing nonverbal cues can cause confusion.
- Discuss the pressure to be “always on.”
- Encourage resolving misunderstandings in person when possible.
The Rise of AI “Friends”
Tools like ChatGPT, Character.AI, and Snapchat’s My AI can simulate friendly conversation, but chatbots can’t offer empathy, accountability, or growth.
“There isn’t a healthy struggle with AI buddies,” noted Kennedy-Moore. “That’s easier, but not as satisfying as a real, messy, wonderful human friendship.”
How adults can help:
- Ask what it feels like to talk with an AI companion versus a real friend.
- Discuss how AI companions are designed to agree and avoid conflict.
- Remind students that emotional growth comes from real relationships, not perfect simulations.
By integrating these approaches into daily conversation, parents and educators can help teens preserve authentic human connection in an increasingly digital world.