Recently large language model-based chatbots have exploded in popularity, and like so many developments in the tech world, young people are on the front line, dealing with the repercussions of the unknown territories AI has shoved them into. This report explores the relationships that young people are forming with companion AI chatbots and how they affect young people’s mental health, connections and expectations for relationships.

At Voicebox, we strive to share the voices and concerns of young people, no matter the topic. Recently we were made aware of a community of primarily young people claiming that they can ‘shift realities’, and we decided to dive deeper. ‘Reality shifting’ is a meditation-esque practice where people believe they can genuinely transcend or ‘shift’ their consciousness into other realities. It has a significant distinction from daydreaming, as daydreaming generally suggests that regardless of how realistic they feel, dreams are still a figment of imagination. Reality shifting exploded during the pandemic – with a TikTok community known as ‘shifttok’ using the platform to share experiences, tips, and fictional locations. In this report, we take a deep dive into reality shifting practices and some of the cornering behaviour surrounding them.

In recent months there has been growing concern about the increasing frequency at which young people online portray mental health problems that they do not have. Our latest report explores this new trend.

In the past 18 months, the internet and our devices have become an even more integral part of our live. In many ways this has been a blessing, allowing friends and families to stay connected through lockdowns. It has, however, also highlighted the importance of using the internet in a safe and healthy way. We find out how young people are maintaining Digital Wellbeing as the internet becomes increasingly significant in their lives.

Over the past year, OnlyFans has rapidly grown in popularity, in no small part due to the changes in the employment landscape following government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. We find out how young people have responded to the site's rapid growth, and the implications of the explosion of adult content it hosts.