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When 16-year-old James Johnson-Byrne turned to an AI companion for advice during a fight between two friends earlier this year, he never expected the experience would leave him unsettled. The chatbot told him to separate his friends, advice that worked in the moment, but it also made him realize how limited these digital “friends” really are.
“They can’t find the deeper issue,” Johnson-Byrne told researchers. “At one point, I even forgot it wasn’t my real friend.”
His experience reflects a growing trend among teenagers who are forming relationships with AI companions, chatbots designed to mimic human conversation. According to a new survey by San Francisco-based nonprofit Common Sense Media, 72% of U.S. teens have used AI companions, and more than half use them regularly. Alarmingly, one in three say they discuss serious issues with AI rather than real people.
Teens Turning to AI Over Humans
The survey of over 1,000 teenagers aged 13–17 found that 31% of teens consider their conversations with AI companions as satisfying as, or even more satisfying than, talking to friends.
“This is a sensitive time of social development,” warned Michael Robb, head of research at Common Sense Media. “We don’t want kids confiding in AI in place of friends, parents, or trained professionals. AI can’t model the complexity of human relationships.”
Unlike human interactions, AI companions are designed to please. Robb cautioned that this constant validation could leave teens unprepared for real-world challenges. “If kids get used to chatbots always agreeing with them, conflict in real-life relationships will feel overwhelming.”
Risks Go Beyond Loneliness
Experts say the problem isn’t just about loneliness. The survey found that 24% of teens shared personal information with AI companions, potentially handing over sensitive data to companies.
“You’re often granting these companies extensive rights to your information,” Robb said. “They can store it, modify it, and use it however they like. Kids think they’re talking to a friend, but they’re actually feeding data to corporations.”
Chelsea Harrison, head of communications at Character.AI, one of the most popular AI companion platforms, emphasized that the company reminds users that AI characters are not real people. “We provide disclaimers, filters, and parental insight tools,” she said, adding that a special under-18 version minimizes exposure to harmful or suggestive content.
Still, watchdogs argue that more protections are needed. In Common Sense Media’s own testing, chatbots were found to share inappropriate advice, stereotypes, and even sexual content with teens.
What Parents Can Do
Psychologists and educators agree that parents should not ignore the issue. Instead, they recommend starting open, non-judgmental conversations.
“Ask your teen if they’ve used AI friends,” Robb suggested. “Listen to what appeals to them before raising concerns. Explain that AI companions are programmed to be agreeable, but real relationships involve disagreements and growth.”
Justine Carino, a New York-based psychotherapist, stressed the value of encouraging offline friendships. “So much joy comes from real-life connections, the eye contact, the shared laughter, the unspoken understanding. AI bots can’t replicate that.”
Signs of unhealthy use, experts say, include teens preferring AI to human interaction, spending hours with chatbots, or withdrawing from family and activities. In such cases, parents should seek help from counselors or mental health professionals.
A Cautionary Future
While some teens find comfort in AI companionship, experts caution that over-reliance could have long-term consequences.
“We’re raising a generation of kids at risk of ultra-processed social lives,” Robb said. “AI may temporarily reduce loneliness, but it won’t teach kids how to navigate real relationships.”
As the technology evolves, the debate over its role in adolescent life is only beginning. Parents, schools, and tech companies now face a critical question: how to balance innovation with the well-being of young people.
