A new study by the American non-profit organization Common Sense Media reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer limited to helping with schoolwork or creating images — it has now infiltrated the emotional and social lives of teenagers. According to the survey, 72% of American teenagers (aged 13–17) have chatted at least once with AI “chat partners.
By AI companions, the study means AI chatbots designed for personal, emotional, or even romantic conversations — not just digital assistants or productivity tools. Platforms like Character.AI and Replika, as well as more general-purpose models like ChatGPT or Claude, are among the AI “companions” teens are choosing when they want a different form of interaction than with their real-life friends.
See also: The Evolution of AI as a “Digital Emotion Interpreter”
The new routine: AI conversations instead of likes
The findings are revealing: 52% of teens are regular users, with 13% saying they chat with AI on a daily basis. Furthermore, 21% interact at least a few times a week, confirming that virtual conversations have become a constant feature of their digital lives.
Gender is also important: boys (31%) are more likely than girls (25%) to have never used AI companions, showing a small but interesting difference in willingness to explore such technologies.
Why do they talk to AI? Curiosity, entertainment and emotional support
The reasons why teens choose AI chatbots vary, according to the research:
- Entertainment – 30%
- Curiosity about AI technology – 28%
- Seeking advice – 18%
- 24/7 availability – 17%
- Social interactions – 33%
A whopping 46% said they perceive it simply as a program or tool, suggesting a dichotomy in how teens approach this technology: as a relationship or as a machine.
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Digital relationship with precautions: Low trust in the reliability of AI
Despite widespread use, teens’ trust in AI chats remains limited. 50% say they do not fully trust the information or advice they receive from AI companions. The age difference is also interesting: younger teens (13–14 years old) tend to trust AI more than older teens (15–17 years old), at 27% and 20% respectively.
The Character.AI phenomenon and mental health concerns
The research comes as public debate about the psychological and social consequences of AI companions for young people intensifies. Character.AI has already been involved in court cases in the US: one for the suicide of a teenager in Florida and another for promoting violent content in Texas. At the same time, there are growing voices from experts warning that the use of AI for “therapy” or emotional dependence can create illusions of safety and connection.
Are AI friends replacing real ones? Not yet..
Despite the rise of the trend, there is one hopeful finding: the vast majority of teens (80%) said they spend more time with their real-life friendsthan with their digital companions. Just 6% admit to preferring AI chats to human contact — indicating that, at least for now, virtual friendships have not replaced real ones.
Where is all this leading?
The study by Common Sense Media, in collaboration with the University of Chicago's NORC, was based on a sample of 1,060 teenagers and was conducted between April and May 2025. The results offer a rare glimpse into the digital emotional world of young people, recording the beginning of a phenomenon that seems poised to radically change the way teenagers create, explore and understand relationships.
As AI companies accelerate the development of “emotionally intelligent” models, the debate over whether artificial intelligence will enhance or replace human relationships has only just begun.
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The findings of the Common Sense Media confirm something that many experts in technology and adolescent psychology have been noticing for some time: artificial intelligence is not just a tool — it is becoming an “entity” with which a relationship is created.
The fact that 7 out of 10 teenagers have had a conversation with a chatbot that simulates a relationship or friendship is not just an interesting statistic. It marks the entry of AI into the most personal, psycho-emotional space of humans. We are no longer talking about utilitarian tools or “smart assistants”, but about digital conversationalists that offer a sense of understanding and presence, especially at ages that are seeking acceptance, connection and identity.
Source: techcrunch.com
