2025 – Three in four teens have used AI companions, and half use them regularly.

A third of teens have chosen AI companions over humans for serious conversations, and a quarter have shared personal information with these platforms.

One third of teens surveyed say they have discussed serious matters with AI companions instead of real people at least once. About the same percentage describe AI chats as just as satisfying — or more satisfying — than talking to humans.

https://www.npr.org/2025/07/20/nx-s1-5471268/teens-ai-friends-chat-risks

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/talk-trust-and-trade-offs-how-and-why-teens-use-ai-companions