Minors including boys as young as 12 are using AI chatbots as romantic partners — a real phenomenon documented by The New Yorker, Psychiatric Times, and confirmed by Chinese regulatory action banning such apps for children. The core claim is verified. However, claims that these AI relationships are directly affecting how boys treat girls in real life are based on early research that isn't yet conclusive. While there are initial indications this *could* be a concern, the evidence doesn't firmly establish the mechanism or extent of real-world relationship impacts. The post's fear-laden framing ('terrifying rise') goes beyond what current research actually demonstrates.