Three-Quarters of U.S. Teens Now Use AI Companions, Survey Shows

9 hours ago 2

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A survey conducted by Common Sense Media found that three out of four adolescents in the United States use AI-based virtual companions for various types of interaction. The study, which examined the use of AI companions, involved over one thousand participants aged 13 to 17.

In a written statement published on the organization's website on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Common Sense Media CEO James P. Steyer noted that the issue extends beyond the emergence of new technology.

He expressed concern that an entire generation is beginning to replace human relationships with machines, shifting empathy toward algorithms and sharing personal information with companies that do not prioritize children's best interests.

The survey was conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago and was funded by Common Sense Media. A total of 1,060 teenagers from all 50 U.S. states were interviewed between April 30 and May 14, 2025.

The findings were published under the title "Talk, Trust, and Trade-Offs: How and Why Teens Use AI Companions."

According to the results, 72 percent of adolescents have used an AI companion at least once, and 52 percent are regular users who interact with these systems several times a month.

Of those who had used AI companions, 33 percent said they used them for social or emotional interaction. Their purposes included conversation practice, emotional support, role-playing, imaginative scenarios, friendship, and even romantic connections.

Another 33 percent either did not use AI companions or used them in ways not included in the survey’s options.

When asked about their motivations, 30 percent cited entertainment, 28 percent said they were curious about the technology, and 18 percent sought advice. Other reasons were also mentioned.

Regarding trust, 23 percent of teens said they trusted their AI companion, while 27 percent somewhat trusted it, and 50 percent did not trust it at all. The survey also indicated that younger teens, aged 13 to 14, were more likely to trust AI advice than their older counterparts.

As for satisfaction, 67 percent of respondents found conversations with AI to be somewhat unsatisfying. Meanwhile, 21 percent said the experience was comparable to talking with real people, and 10 percent found it more satisfying. The remaining 2 percent did not answer this question.

Steyer underscored that this trend reflects a widespread behavioral shift among teens rather than a niche interest. He observed that AI companions often emerge in the lives of children and adolescents who feel isolated or alone.

He further warned that the increasing use of AI as a form of companionship highlights the urgent need for more research and stronger regulations.

If left unregulated, he cautioned, this technology could significantly influence how an entire generation forms relationships and seeks emotional support, with potentially serious consequences for their healthy development.

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