Meta’s Tamagotchi Like Device Raises New Questions About Emotional Bonds With Technology

Image: Women showing tamagotchi

Meta has introduced a new gadget that looks strikingly similar to the Tamagotchis that dominated the 1990s — but this time, the “digital pet” comes equipped with artificial intelligence capable of holding conversations and tracking a user’s routine. The launch has reignited debate in the United States about how far human interaction with AI companions can go, and what that means for mental health.

The device, called Muse Charm, is part of Meta’s push toward what CEO Mark Zuckerberg describes as “personal superintelligence,” a strategy meant to replace the company’s costly metaverse experiment. Unlike the original pocket pets, Muse Charm doesn’t rely on a smartphone or app. It speaks, responds, and adapts to the user’s daily life, functioning as a portable AI companion.

Meta says the Muse agent — already downloaded millions of times — can automate tasks like booking travel or preparing tax documents. The company plans to integrate the technology into its smart‑glasses line, expanding the role of AI in everyday routines.

But the innovation is raising red flags among mental‑health specialists. A Harvard Business Review study analyzing more than 12,600 AI interactions found that young users increasingly rely on digital agents for emotional companionship, a shift that blurs the line between helpful technology and substitutes for real human connection. Experts warn that as AI becomes more conversational and more present, it may begin to occupy spaces traditionally filled by relationships, family, or community.

Muse Charm arrives at a moment when nostalgia and technology intersect — especially among younger generations accustomed to chatting with virtual assistants. The question now is whether the device will remain a playful modern toy or become another step toward deeper, more intimate bonds between humans and machines.