"i Want It to Sound Like Me": Understanding Teenagers' Views of Generative AI-Mediated Communication in Friendship

Developing research indicates that teenagers have been integrating generative AI chatbots into their social lives through various ways - from enlivening group chats to nurturing intimate companionships. However, we know little about how these AI chatbots may shape the interactions between teenagers themselves and their close friends, despite the important consequences adolescent peer friendships have on social functioning in adulthood. To develop our understanding of this critical area, we conducted a speculative enactment and interview study with 47 teenagers aged 13-19 to understand teenagers' views of AI chatbot use in the context of navigating consequential friendship interactions. After enacting speculative scenarios involving their own close friend, participants' reflections highlighted distinct perceptions about the meaning of friendship, human effort, and interpretations of acceptable AI use. We discuss considerations for the impact of AI chatbots on teens' social development and present design implications to support teenagers' relationship autonomy and active social learning.