72% of U.S. teens have used AI companions, study finds

A recent study conducted by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare of children and families, reveals a significant trend among U.S. teenagers. It found that a remarkable 72% of teens have engaged with an AI companion at least once. Unlike traditional AI assistants that help with tasks or provide information, the study specifically focuses on chatbots designed for more personal interactions. These AI companions, which include well-known platforms such as Character.AI and Replika, as well as versatile chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude, are becoming increasingly popular among young users. The findings highlight that over half of the surveyed teens (52%) regularly interact with these digital friends, with 13% chatting daily and 21% engaging a few times each week. Interestingly, the study noted a gender difference: 31% of boys reported never using an AI companion, compared to 25% of girls. The research, which surveyed a representative sample of 1,060 teens between the ages of 13 to 17, was conducted by researchers from NORC at the University of Chicago in April and May 2025. This surge in AI usage among teens raises concerns, especially in light of recent legal actions against AI firms like Character.AI, linked to serious incidents involving minors. Common Sense Media's study sheds light on how teens are utilizing AI for various purposes, including entertainment, curiosity about technology, and social interaction. Notably, 46% of respondents viewed AI companions as tools, while 33% sought them out for companionship. However, trust in these AI entities remains a concern, with half of the participants expressing skepticism about the reliability of the information provided. The research also revealed that one-third of teens found conversations with AI companions more fulfilling than those with real friends, although the majority disagreed. Additionally, many teens (39%) reported using these interactions as a form of practice for real-life social skills. Despite the immersive experiences offered by AI companions, a promising statistic emerged: 80% of teens indicated they spend more time with their actual friends than with their digital counterparts, suggesting that human relationships still hold significant value for today’s youth.