A new survey from Common Sense Media has found that 72% of American teens have used AI companions at least once, with more than half (52%) being regular users. The research provides an early look at how young people are engaging with this emerging technology.
The survey, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, included 1,060 teens ages 13 to 17 in April and May 2025.
It focused on AI chatbots designed for personal conversations, like Character.AI and Replika, but also included general-purpose tools like ChatGPT and Claude when used as companions.
72%
have tried AI companions
52%
are regular users
80%
spend more time with real friends
How teens use AI companions
Nearly half of teens (46%) view AI companions primarily as tools or programs, while 33% use them for social interaction and relationships. The top reasons teens give for using these platforms include:
Base: All respondents (n=1,060) • Multiple responses allowed
Source: Common Sense Media, “Talk, Trust, and Trade-Offs: How and Why Teens Use AI Companions” (2025)
Among regular users, 13% chat with AI companions daily, while 21% engage a few times per week. Boys were slightly more likely than girls to have never tried an AI companion (31% vs. 25%).
Why teens use AI companions
Base: Uses AI companions (n=758) • Select up to 3 responses
Source: Common Sense Media, “Talk, Trust, and Trade-Offs: How and Why Teens Use AI Companions” (2025)
Mixed feelings on AI conversations
While 67% of teens find AI conversations less satisfying than those with real friends, nearly one-third (31%) find them equally or more satisfying. This suggests that for some teens, AI companions are filling a particular need.
Interestingly, 39% of teen users report applying social skills practiced with AI companions to real-life situations. The most common skills transferred include:
- Starting conversations (18%)
- Giving advice (14%)
- Expressing emotions (13%)
Trust and time allocation
Half of teens express skepticism about information from AI companions, with older teens (15-17) being more distrustful than younger ones (13-14). This suggests teens are developing critical thinking skills about AI-generated content.
80% of AI companion users said they spend more time with real friends than with their digital companions. Only 6% reported spending more time with AI than with human friends. While 13% reported about equal time.
Safety considerations
The study comes amid ongoing concerns about AI companion safety. Just over one-third (34%) of the teen respondents said they felt uncomfortable with something an AI said or did, and 24% have shared personal information with these platforms.
What does this mean for AI?
This survey provides valuable insights into how AI has evolved from a novel tool to something that’s being used on a more consistent basis by quite a large percentage of today’s youth. While the survey suggests that many teens approach AI companions as tools rather than replacements for human relationships, the technology is clearly becoming part of their social and emotional lives.
The findings present both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, some teens are using AI companions to practice social skills and explore self-expression in a low-pressure environment. On the other, the lack of content moderation on many platforms raises legitimate concerns.
For developers, the message is clear: as AI companions become mainstream among young users, building appropriate safeguards isn’t optional, but essential. This includes better content filtering and clear boundaries around the AI’s capabilities.
The reality is that it looks like AI companions are here to stay in teens’ lives. Rather than panic or prohibition, we need thoughtful approaches that maximize benefits while minimizing risks. This means teaching digital literacy, maintaining human connections, and pushing for industry standards that protect young users while respecting their autonomy.
