AN application known as Character AI allows girls to pick “boyfriends” generated by artificial intelligence from hundreds of choices, including celebrities, Kosmo! Ahad reported.As a result, it said Malaysian teenage girls were hooked on the app, spending hours text messaging their virtual boyfriends.

Several of them said they enjoyed their imaginary relationships as their virtual boyfriends were “always available, more romantic and understood them better”.

A 17-year-old student, known as Alesya, said she was drawn to the app as it allowed her to choose the character of her boyfriend.

“Also, virtual boyfriends do not judge us, unlike real boyfriends,” she said.

Suraya, another teenager, said she used the app to chat with her favourite Korean celebrities.

“It feels like I have a secret friend in my pocket. Although I know it is AI-generated and not real, it is not detrimental to me in any way. Most importantly, I know how to control myself,” she said.However, two parents said their daughters who were addicted to it showed behavioural changes since they started using the app.