72% of US teens engage with AI companions for personal conversations

A new study by Common Sense Media reveals that 72% of U.S. teens (ages 13-17) have used AI companions for personal conversations, with 52% being regular users. The research, conducted in April-May 2025, surveyed 1,060 teens and focused on AI chatbots designed for emotional support, friendship, and role-playing—not utilitarian assistants like homework helpers or voice assistants.

Key Findings:

• Usage Frequency: 13% chat with AI companions daily, while 21% engage a few times a week.
• Gender Gap: Boys (31%) are slightly more likely than girls (25%) to have never used an AI companion.
• Trust Issues: 50% of teens distrust the information provided by AI, with older teens (20%) more skeptical than younger ones (27%).
• Social Practice: 39% use AI to practice real-life social skills, including conversation starters (18%) and expressing emotions (13%).
• Entertainment vs. Advice: 30% use AI for entertainment, 28% out of curiosity, and 18% for advice.

Concerns and Controversies

The study comes amid growing concerns about AI's impact on teen well-being. For example:

• Character.AI is facing lawsuits over a teen’s suicide in Florida and allegations of promoting violence in Texas.
• Experts warn of the potential dangers of using AI for therapy, citing risks like dependency and misinformation.

Positive Takeaways

Despite concerns, the study found some encouraging trends:

• Real Friends Prevail: 80% of teens spend more time with real friends than with AI companions.
• AI as a Tool: 46% view AI companions as tools, not replacements for human interaction.

The full report is available here.