Story perspectives

AI Chatbot Reduces Loneliness Among College Students, Study Finds

10/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A China study found interactions with Replika chatbot reduced college students' loneliness over 1, 3, and 5 months.
The experimental group using the chatbot reported lower loneliness and social anxiety than the control group.
The study shows AI chatbots can improve social skills and resilience.
The authors caution Hawthorne effect may influence results because participants knew their group.
The findings were published in Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology.

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Story summary

A China study found interactions with Replika chatbot reduced college students' loneliness over 1, 3, and 5 months.
The experimental group using the chatbot reported lower loneliness and social anxiety than the control group.
The study shows AI chatbots can improve social skills and resilience.
The authors caution Hawthorne effect may influence results because participants knew their group.
The findings were published in Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology.