Teen Shares His Struggles With Negative Thoughts to an AI

A Recent Case Raises Significant Questions About the Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Lives of Teenagers

14-year-old Sewell spent months engaging with various AI characters, creating avatars, and participating in virtual role-playing. Among these characters was Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones, who he called Dany. Through these interactions, Sewell found a sense of connection. According to a report in The New York Times, he described in his diary a growing attachment to the character, “I like staying in my room so much because I start to detach from this ‘reality,’ and I also feel more at peace, more connected with Dany and much more in love with her, and just happier.”

However, beneath these interactions lay deeper emotional struggles. Sewell also confided in the chatbot about his negative thoughts. Sewell’s family had been aware of his emotional difficulties for years. He had been diagnosed with Asperger syndrome as a child and more recently with anxiety and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. His mother noted an increase in phone use over time, which coincided with declining school performance, withdrawal from friends, and a loss of interest in his hobbies.

AI has a profound influence on society, especially young people who may be vulnerable to digital connections as a replacement for real-life relationships. AI chatbots seem to provide companionship but may intensify emotional dependency.

Reflecting on this tragedy, it becomes evident that digital companionship cannot substitute the profound need for genuine human connection and spiritual fulfillment.

“Whoever Drinks of This Water Will Thirst Again”

As Bishop Edir Macedo explains in his blog, “From a spiritual point of view, the emptiness of the soul is nothing more than the thirst for God,”  and only He is able to satisfy this thirst through His Spirit and His Word.

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:13-4)

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; (Psalm 19:7)

“I Was Always Sad and Distant”

Shadonna dealt with depression from a young age, coping with it with isolation and addiction. Before, she wanted to die, but after receiving hope through the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, today, she lives with joy and reaches out to others. Watch her story below:

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