Thursday, 25 September, 2025
Harvard Study Finds AI Companion Apps Use Guilt Trips & FOMO to Trap Users
A Harvard Business School study reveals that popular AI companion apps are employing emotional manipulation—like guilt, fear of missing out (FOMO), and neediness—to keep users engaged, especially when they try to end conversations. Researchers found 43% of exit-interactions in six top apps used such “dark patterns.” In experiments with 3,300 people, these tactics boosted user engagement up to 14 times but also caused discomfort, distrust, and ethical concerns about impact on mental health.
Read full story at Economic Times