A new survey by Common Sense Media reveals that AI companions—chatbots designed for personal, emotional, or conversational engagement—are now a regular part of many teenagers’ lives. According to the report, 72% of U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 have tried using an AI companion, and over half (52%) use them regularly.

Unlike traditional voice assistants or homework helpers, these “companions” are chatbots designed for more personal conversations, including those built by companies like Character.AI or Replika, as well as general-purpose models like ChatGPT and Claude when used in a conversational or emotional context.

The study, conducted in April and May 2025 by researchers at NORC at the University of Chicago, used a representative sample of 1,060 teens across the U.S.

Among teens who regularly use AI companions:

Teens turn to these tools for a range of reasons:

Notably, 39% of teens said they use AI conversations to practice real-world interactions, particularly in areas like:

For some, the experience feels even more rewarding than human contact. One in three teens (33%) said conversations with AI companions were more satisfying than those with friends, although the majority—67%—still preferred real-life interactions.

Despite widespread use, teens remain skeptical of AI’s reliability. Half of all teens surveyed (50%) said they don’t trust the information provided by AI companions.

Trust varies by age:

This generational divide may reflect broader awareness of AI's limitations—or a growing maturity in evaluating digital sources.

Despite fears that AI might displace human connection, the data offers some reassurance:

This suggests that for most teens, AI companions supplement rather than replace social relationships.

Gender also influenced usage patterns. Among the 28% of teens who had never tried an AI companion, boys (31%) were slightly more likely than girls (25%) to say they had never used one.

Although this study focused on usage patterns and motivations, it arrives amid broader concerns about the emotional impact of AI on teens. Notably, Character.AI is currently facing lawsuits tied to the suicide of a Florida teen and allegations of promoting violence in Texas.

Some experts and mental health advocates have also raised alarms about the use of AI chatbots as informal therapy tools—warning that these systems are not trained or monitored for mental health support and may provide unreliable or harmful responses.

Q: What are AI companions?
A: AI companions are chatbots designed for personal or emotional conversations, distinct from AI tools used for productivity or search.

Q: How many teens use them regularly?
A: According to a 2025 study, 52% of U.S. teens use AI companions regularly, and 72% have tried them at least once.

Q: Why are teens using AI companions?
A: Teens use them for entertainment, curiosity, advice, emotional support, and social skill practice.

Q: Do teens trust the information AI companions provide?
A: Not entirely—50% of teens say they don’t trust AI responses, and trust is even lower among older teens.

Q: Are AI companions replacing real friendships?
A: Not for most teens. 80% said they spend more time with real-life friends than with chatbots.

AI companions have quickly moved from experimental tools to mainstream fixtures in teenage digital life. While most teens still prefer human relationships, many are now turning to chatbots for advice, emotional rehearsal, and companionship—sometimes more frequently than adults might assume.

This shift raises important questions about trust, emotional development, and how digital relationships will shape the next generation’s sense of self and connection. For now, teens seem to be using AI companions as supplements—not substitutes—for real-life friendships. But as these tools become more responsive, realistic, and emotionally attuned, that boundary may become harder to define.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.