AI Weakens Imagination and Attention Span in Children, Psychologist Warns
Jerusalem, 4 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- Baku (AZERTAC) – In recent years, artificial intelligence has become integrated into almost everyone’s lives. However, psychologists warn that people who are experiencing psychological stress or disorders should be especially careful when using this technology.
In an interview with AZERTAC, psychotherapist and clinical psychologist Zohra Islamzadeh said that during mental disorders, a person’s thoughts become distorted, and negative thoughts take up more space. Interaction with artificial intelligence can further strengthen these negative thoughts.
“Artificial intelligence cannot show empathy and does not bear emotional responsibility. Its main goal is to please the person in front of it and provide an appropriate answer to the question asked. As a result, a person’s negative thoughts become stronger, which can lead to a deepening of depression and even an increase in thoughts of self-harm,” the Islamzadeh noted.
She explained that although dialogue with artificial intelligence brings a certain comfort to a person, it does not replace a real relationship. This is because AI cannot apply the techniques used in therapy, an objective approach, and does not have the ability to assess the emotional state of the person in front of it.
“It would be more correct for people who want to receive psychological support to turn to qualified specialists, not to artificial intelligence,” Islamzadeh said.
She noted that children, adolescents and young people in particular are more interested in artificial intelligence. When they perceive this technology as a friend or confidant, a weakening of imagination and independent thinking abilities, attention deficits and disorders in the dopamine system may be observed. “Children’s brains are prone to learning and development. Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, responds within seconds, distracting them from thinking. This can form a generation that is impatient, dependent and far from analytical thinking,” she said.
Islamzadeh advised parents, teachers, and psychologists to explain to children that artificial intelligence does not replace humans, but is only a technological tool.
“Children need to be made to understand that artificial intelligence is neither a friend nor a being that understands us as humans. Keeping children away from this technology, especially until adolescence, is important for their healthy psychological development,” she said.
