One third of American teens use AI chatbots for 'social interaction': Common Sense Media study

A new study has found that an increasing number of teens in the US are turning to AI companions for social interactions. Nearly half of teens, 46 percent, said they use or view AI companions as a "tool or program," but notably, 33 percent of teens said that they use AI companions for social interaction and relationships. 13 percent of those surveyed said they used an AI companion every day.

The study, conducted by Common Sense Media, found that a total of 72 percent of teens have used AI companions, described as "digital friends or characters you can text or talk with whenever you want. Unlike regular AI assistants that mainly answer questions or do tasks, these companions are designed to have conversations that feel personal and meaningful." This includes companies like Character.AI, Replika, and companies like ChatGPT or Claude, which weren’t designed as companions but may be used in such a way. 

Nearly half of teens, 46 percent, said they use or view AI companions as a "tool or program," but notably, 33 percent of teens said that they use AI companions for social interaction and relationships.

Of that 33 percent, 18 percent said they used AI compantions for "conversation or social practice," 12 percent said they used it for "emotional or mental health support," 12 percent said they used it for "role-playing or imaginative scenarios," nine percent said they used it as a "friend or best friend," and eight percent said they used it for"romantic or flirtatious interactions."

Nearly one-third of teens, or 31 percent, said they found conversations with AI companions to be about the same or more satisfying than talking with real-life friends. The study also found that 33 percent of teens chose to discuss serious or important matters with AI companions over real people, and an additional 24 percent share personal information, such as their real name, location, or personal secrets, with these programs.

The poll found, however, that the majority of teens were distrustful of AI companions, with 50 percent saying they do not trust the programs. 

The survey was conducted between April and May 2025 of 1,060 teens across the country between the ages of 13 and 17 and has a margin of error of 4.1 percent.