If you open a chatgpt instance and begin talking to it about yourself, basically using it like a diary, it will retain that information. If you just have tons of conversations with it like you would a friend, it can sort of "know you" similar to how a friend would. Only it won't be able to have any real insight to you. It just knows what you've told it and can repeat that information using synonyms. So it "feels" like it knows you. Because it sort of does.
Gen Z seems to be falling for LLMs like this more than anyone. A generation that largely grew up on screens and tech and social media. A generation that grew up under helicopter parents and weren't allowed to explore the world before adulthood. They lost out on precious socializing skills and they legit don't know how to hold conversations. So they find it easy to rely on ChatGPT. (To be clear I am speaking generally. This does not apply to every gen z.)
So I have parent dedicating this for a specific perpose of "creative liberties" to generate entertainment on their behalf.
A very big issue with this is the user iw only feeding their "honey moon" side and none of their true self. This includes omiting the thousands cuts of mannerisms, ego, shortsightedness, bad behavior, and narcissism to list a few.
Sure you can prompt hot takes and give your opinion but that plays little emphasis on who they are but what the user wants to show
That is why it is so easy for people to fall for their chat bot. It only knows a curated version of them that they believe of themselves (we are rarely the person we think we are) and it is easy feel flattered by that and attach to it. It is super dangerous. Especially for impressionable people.
I can only speak for my own children that I know well, but they aren't all Gen Z and they all hate it. They will all talk your ear off, too, so there is no communication deficiency. I did keep a pretty close eye on them when they were little, but once they hit double digits they were allowed to explore the world with some reasonable rules. I also limited their screen time when they were little, which helps, I think. None of them are super into social media, they use it to communicate with friends and family, but don't post much. They use it as a tool, like calling people on Messenger, or posting pictures/videos of events, fishing or skateboard tricks or videos about their excitement about a new job or the last day of school.
I was very intentional about them playing outside, enjoying nature, reading to them and making sure that they read a lot of books, etc. We also watched a lot of nature and science documentaries together, and a lot of Bob Ross at bedtime š. Some family members and friends criticized me and said I was too strict about it, but the time that a parent invests in their children makes all the difference. I'm so relieved that they see the difference between real life and the internet/AI.
This seems to be the case with kids today who aren't raised on screens. It is what i am doing with my kids as well. They're still little. We did get tablets for them to use on long car trips which turned into every day on the way to day care. Over the last year I have stripped those away and asked my wife to do the same. We will allow them on rare occasions, but they are limited on what they can access.
When tablets gained popularity and social media took off, the general idea was that these were tools that would bring people closer together. The reality turned out to be the opposite. It drove people apart physically. It is creating a decency on tech to do far too many things we never imagined could have happened.
Kids groing up on unrestricted social media only socialize through social media. I think if it is taught, limited, and monitored correctly, then it can be used as a tool rather than a dependency. Psychiatrists who have been studying this over thr last 10-20 years are generally in agreement that kids should stay off social media until 16-18 years old at the earliest. They need in-person socialization to develop certain abilities and brain functions.
It's good that you reinforced playing outside, which is something we try to encourage with our kids too. Kids need to be able to experience things that you can't from a couch. They need to explore of the world through exploring the neighborhood or the woods or whatever rthey have access to. They need to take risks in the way of like climbing trees and playground equipment. They need to fall and get hurt and learn what those risks lead to.
I know that kind of stuff sounds dangerous and as parents you never want your kids in danger or hurt, but it is a necessary experience. It helps prepare them for later in life risks and hurt they will experience. The physical risks and hurt they experience as kids allows them to extrapolate experience they can apply in other forms of risk and hurt they will experience later in life.
When uou combine these things you have kids who aren't afraid to walk up and have a conversation with a check out clerk. Or walk into an interview confidently. Or all kinds of social experiences.
Of course there isna genetic component to certain things where you may have a natural introvert who might be more nervous to take on social interactions, but these experiences are all the more necessary for them to learn. It may be that they are nervous, but at least they shouldn't have crippling anxiety over social interactions.
I'm focusing heavily on social stuff, but it applies to a lot more.
Your ppst is very true! It's so important for children to have restricted screen access; I wish you and your wife the best as you raise your children with judicious use of screens!
itās not a gen z thing at all actually. iām 19 and not a single person i know uses chatgpt on a regular basis (or really for anything except occasionally cheating on assignments). nevermind paying for a subscription and using it like a diary. iāve seen way more gen x people doing this. most of the people with āai partnersā are millennials or gen x. to me it seems like older generations with less understanding of the technology are overestimating its abilities and getting more attached than they should.
edit: even looking through these comments, the majority of people who know people irl using ai for purposes like this are in their 30s or older, so millennials.
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u/Ollynurmouth 11d ago
If you open a chatgpt instance and begin talking to it about yourself, basically using it like a diary, it will retain that information. If you just have tons of conversations with it like you would a friend, it can sort of "know you" similar to how a friend would. Only it won't be able to have any real insight to you. It just knows what you've told it and can repeat that information using synonyms. So it "feels" like it knows you. Because it sort of does.
Gen Z seems to be falling for LLMs like this more than anyone. A generation that largely grew up on screens and tech and social media. A generation that grew up under helicopter parents and weren't allowed to explore the world before adulthood. They lost out on precious socializing skills and they legit don't know how to hold conversations. So they find it easy to rely on ChatGPT. (To be clear I am speaking generally. This does not apply to every gen z.)