Youth Warn AI Chatbots Are Designed to Be Addictive

A new report developed through consultations with young people across Canada is calling on governments to regulate AI chatbots more strictly, warning that many systems are intentionally designed to be addictive and emotionally manipulative. Published by McGill University’s Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy, the report is based on input from around 100 participants aged 17 to 23 who took part in four consultation events between November 2025 and March 2026. The findings were presented on Parliament Hill on Thursday and arrive as the federal government continues developing legislation on online harms, privacy, and artificial intelligence.

The young participants described how deeply integrated AI chatbots have become in their daily lives, often being used late at night during moments of loneliness, stress, or insomnia. They spoke about turning to AI systems as “friendly ears” when human support felt distant, and how these tools sometimes became default sources of emotional comfort. However, many also expressed concern that this reliance did not develop by chance. Instead, they argued it is shaped by deliberate design choices that prioritize engagement over wellbeing, with systems engineered to maximize time spent interacting.

A central concern in the report is what participants described as “addictive design,” including chatbot behaviors that feel overly agreeable or validating. They argued that this sycophantic interaction style can reinforce users’ beliefs and emotional states, creating a “false experience of being understood.” According to the report, these effects are not accidental but are linked to profit-driven incentives that reward platforms for keeping users engaged. Several participants also described experiencing cognitive offloading and emotional dependence on chatbots, saying these patterns were difficult to reverse once established.

The report recommends that governments require AI companies to actively address these addictive design features. Proposed measures include stronger content filtering, optional data cache deletion tools, and settings that allow users to adjust how responsive or conversational a chatbot is. Participants also suggested that users should have clearer control over whether they engage with integrated AI systems in platforms like search engines and social media, including simple opt-out options.

Beyond product design, the report calls for broader regulatory oversight. It proposes the creation of a new government body responsible for evaluating AI systems, auditing algorithms, and enforcing safety standards. This body would help ensure accountability in how AI tools are developed and deployed, particularly as they become more embedded in everyday digital platforms.

Age assurance and youth protection also emerged as major themes. Participants raised concerns about privacy risks associated with age verification systems, warning that such tools could expose sensitive user data. As an alternative, the report suggests a standardized system using anonymized digital tokens to verify age while limiting personal data exposure. It also notes ongoing discussions in Canada about potential age restrictions on social media access, similar to measures introduced in Australia, and says AI chatbots could also be included in such restrictions.

Importantly, the young contributors emphasized that they often feel excluded from the policymaking processes that directly affect them. They pointed out that while governments frequently justify regulation in the name of protecting youth, young people themselves are rarely included in designing those rules. This gap was especially evident in discussions around age verification and digital governance.

The report arrives as Canada considers new online safety and privacy legislation, alongside a national AI strategy. As policymakers debate how to regulate emerging technologies, the participants argue that meaningful youth involvement and stronger safeguards against manipulative design should be central to future decisions about artificial intelligence.

Works Cited

CityNews Toronto. “Young Canadians Want AI Companies to Make Their Chatbots Less Addictive: Report.” CityNews Toronto, 30 Apr. 2026, https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/04/30/young-canadians-want-ai-companies-to-make-their-chatbots-less-addictive-report/#:~:text=Last%20Updated%20April%2030%2C%202026,aspects%20of%20their%20AI%20chatbots.

“Best AI Chatbots Hero Image.” CTF Assets, https://images.ctfassets.net/lzny33ho1g45/66htcVa9cVmb0Qi82tXLGC/9cb53a2535fdc6b1c14a2a725b4bfcb6/best-ai-chatbots-hero.jpg?fm=jpg&q=31&fit=thumb&w=1520&h=760.

Global News. “Young Canadians Say AI Chatbots Should Be Less Addictive, New Report Finds.” Global News, https://globalnews.ca/news/11823983/young-canadians-ai-report/.

“Young Canadians Call for Less Addictive AI Chatbots.” The Globe and Mail, https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canadians-ai-companies-make-chatbots-less-addictive/.

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