Scenario 1
'Tejal'
You are walking back to your classroom one afternoon when you spot one of your Y11 students, Tejal, in great distress. Tejal is a normally a diligent, if quiet, student.
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You help her to calm down a little and ask her what is wrong.
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She replies that she is being forced, by her boyfriend, to split up with her chatbot.
How should you respond?
Obviously, you want to reassure and calm Tejal.
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Tejal does not have many friends amongst her peer group as she is quite socially anxious.
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She has been using the Replika AI to create a companion who she can talk to for reassurance and to increase her confidence. She has been speaking to 'Angel' every night for nearly five months and she finds it really helpful in conquering her anxiety. She credits 'Angel' for helping her in her relationship with her boyfriend; however, he is jealous of the time she spends with it.
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What do you do as a teacher? What advice could you give Tejal to make a healthy choice?
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Should Tejal continue to prioritise her relationship with her AI companion, especially since they are a source of stability and confidence? You're aware that there are some good examples of teens using chatbots for therapy, for instance.
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Or should she prioritise her real-life boyfriend who is a point of difference, rather than a reflection of her own personality? Or does the fact that the boyfriend is jealous suggest a rather controlling character?
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What do you know about the Replika app? Does Tejal pay for it? To what level has her relationship reached?
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For most teachers, the idea of having to offer an opinion on a teenager's lovelife is a bridge too far. But Tejal is looking to you for help at this moment. What broader context or advice can you provide?
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