72% of U.S. Teens Use AI Companions: Study Reveals Widespread Adoption and Potential Risks
13 Sources
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72% of U.S. teens have used AI companions, study finds | TechCrunch
A new study by a U.S. nonprofit focused on the lives of kids and families, Common Sense Media, has found that a vast majority of U.S. teens (72%) have tried an AI companion at least once. By "companion," the study is focused on AI chatbots that are designed for users to have more personal
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Over Half of Teens Regularly Use AI Companions. Here's Why That's Not Ideal
Is your teen using a chatbot for companionship? If you don't know, you might want to ask. Common Sense Media released a study on Wednesday, in which it found that more than half of pre-adult teenagers regularly use AI companions. Nearly one third of the teens reported that conversations with AI
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More Than Half of Teens Surveyed Use AI for Companionship. Why That's Not Ideal
Alex Valdes from Bellevue, Washington has been pumping content into the Internet river for quite a while, including stints at MSNBC.com, MSN, Bing, MoneyTalksNews, Tipico and more. He admits to being somewhat fascinated by the Cambridge coffee webcam back in the Roaring '90s. Is your teen using an
[4]
A Huge Number of Teens Regularly Talk to an AI, But Don't Always Feel Good About It
A whopping 72% of teens have tried talking to an AI companion, and 52% do so regularly, according to a new survey. But don't worry (yet): The overwhelming majority still prefer in-person friendships. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit focused on online safety for families, asked 1,060 "nationally
[5]
Three quarters of US teens use AI companions despite risks: Study
Nearly three in four American teenagers have used AI companions, with more than half qualifying as regular users despite growing safety concerns about these virtual relationships, according to a new survey released Wednesday. AI companions -- chatbots designed for personal conversations rather
[6]
Most teens have used AI to flirt and chat -- but still prefer human interaction
Traditionally, teenagers turn to each other when it comes to seeking advice, flirting and sharing deep conversations. But nearly three quarters of U.S. teenagers have used an AI tool at least once for activities like these, according to a new study. Conversational AI systems such as CHAI,
[7]
Teens regularly chat with AI companions, survey finds
Two new reports show that teens in the U.S. and U.K. are talking to AI companions regularly. Credit: Melanie Acevedo / DigitalVision / Getty Images Artificial intelligence companions have gone mainstream amongst teens, according to a new report. The findings may surprise parents familiar with AI
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Teens flock to companion bots despite risks
Why it matters: AI companions can be dangerous to young users, posing an "unacceptable risk," according to Common Sense Media, who published the findings. What they did: For the purposes of this research, conducted in April and May 2025, "AI companions" were defined as "digital friends or
[9]
A Staggering Proportion of High Schoolers Say Talking to AI Is Better Than Real-Life Friends
A new survey found that over half of American teens are regular users of anthropomorphic AI companions like Character.AI and Replika. That's striking on its own, as an illustration of how embedded AI companions have become in mainstream teenage life. But even more startling were the 31 percent of
[10]
Kids are chatting with AI like it's their best friend
Move over, TikTok -- kids have a new favorite digital confidant, and this one answers in complete sentences. A new UK report, Me, Myself & AI, reveals that a growing number of children are turning to AI chatbots not just to cheat -- er, study -- for exams, but for emotional support, fashion
[11]
Vast Numbers of Lonely Kids Are Using AI as Substitute Friends
Lonely children and teens are replacing real-life friendship with AI, and experts are worried. A new report from the nonprofit Internet Matters, which supports efforts to keep children safe online, found that children and teens are using programs like ChatGPT, Character.AI, and Snapchat's MyAI to
[12]
Three quarters of US teens use AI companions despite risks: study
San Francisco (United States) (AFP) - Nearly three in four American teenagers have used AI companions, with more than half qualifying as regular users despite growing safety concerns about these virtual relationships, according to a new survey released Wednesday. AI companions -- chatbots designed
[13]
Teens are using AI companions -- and some prefer them to people
The use of AI companions is no longer niche behavior but has become embedded in mainstream teenage life, according to a new report. A nationally representative survey of 1,060 teens ages 13 to 17, conducted in April and May 2025 by Common Sense Media -- a U.S.-based advocacy and research nonprofit
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A new study by Common Sense Media finds that nearly three-quarters of American teenagers have used AI companions, with over half being regular users. The research highlights both benefits and concerns surrounding this growing trend.
Widespread Adoption of AI Companions Among U.S. Teens
A groundbreaking study conducted by Common Sense Media has revealed that a staggering 72% of American teenagers have experimented with AI companions, with more than half (52%) qualifying as regular users
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. The research, based,060 teens aged 13-17 across the United States, provides crucial insights into the rapidly evolving interactions between young people and artificial intelligence.
Source: NPR
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.Usage Patterns and Motivations
The study found that teens engage with AI companions for various reasons:
- 30% use them for entertainment
- 28% out of curiosity about AI technology
- 18% seek advice
- 17% appreciate their constant availability
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Notably, 33% of teens reported using AI companions for social interaction and relationships, including conversation practice, emotional support, and role-playing
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.Potential Benefits and Concerns
While AI companions offer certain advantages, the study also highlighted potential risks:
- 39% of teens applied skills first practiced with AI to real-world situations
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- 34% reported feeling uncomfortable with something an AI companion said or done
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- 33% have chosen to discuss serious topics with AI instead of humans
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Mental health professionals express concern about the impact on social skill development. A.G. Noble, a therapist specializing in adolescents, noted that AI companions offer "low-risk 'social' interaction" but may not provide the necessary social bonds for healthy development
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.Related Stories
Trust and Satisfaction Levels
Source: Axios
The study revealed mixed feelings among teens regarding AI companions:
- 50% don't trust the information provided by AI companions
- 67% find conversations with AI less satisfying than those with real-life friends
- 10% find AI conversations more satisfying than human interactions
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Interestingly, younger teens (13-14) were more likely to trust AI advice compared to older teens (15-17)
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.Recommendations and Future Implications
Given the potential risks, Common Sense Media recommends that no one under 18 should use AI companions until stronger safeguards are implemented
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. The American Psychological Association has called for teaching AI literacy to kids and for AI developers to create systems that regularly remind teen users that AI companions are not actual humans.
Source: PC Magazine
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.As AI technology continues to evolve, it's crucial to balance its potential benefits with the need to protect young users users. The study's findings underscore the importance of ongoing research and dialogue about the role of AI in young people's lives and the development of appropriate guidelines for its use.
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