The Gen Z mental health crisis shows no sign of abating. They live in fear of the climate apocalypse, confused about their own gender, proud of their perversions, ashamed of their privilege, enraged by their oppression, coddled into paralysis, afire with social justice activism, struggling with depression, jacked up on Adderall, and addicted to social media. What they yearn for most is validation and affirmation of their authentic selves. If they can only figure out who that is.

So why shouldn’t they turn to AI Lovebots to fulfill their emotional needs? It sure beats looking for love by chopping off body parts.

NPR recently interviewed MIT professor Sherry Turkle, who has been studying the way people relate to technology for years. Artificial intimacy is the focus of her latest research, including investigations into people who form romantic relations with chatbots.

“What AI can offer is a space away from the friction of companionship and friendship,” Turkle explained. “It offers the illusion of intimacy without the demands. And that is the particular challenge of this technology.”

Illusion without demands. Romance without heartache. Affirmation without criticism. Achievement without effort. Unearned, unconditional, push-button, coin operated love.

It’s nirvana for someone born into the digital age, accustomed to instant gratification. Why deal with the real world when the imaginary one is so much easier?

Turkle is not so sure. But she’s not ready to start smacking sense into these kids like Jordan Peterson, demanding that they step up.

If they’re depressed and confused now, ready to bear their soul to a robot, just wait until they get handed the keys to the steaming mess we’ll be leaving them.