Editorial illustration for Most US Teens Have Used AI Companions, New Survey Reveals
72% of Teens Use AI Companions, Study Reveals
72% of US teens surveyed have used AI companions, Common Sense Media finds
The digital landscape for teenagers is shifting dramatically, with artificial intelligence becoming less of a distant technology and more of an everyday companion. A new study from Common Sense Media and Stanford researchers offers a startling glimpse into how deeply AI has penetrated teen interactions and social experiences.
The research uncovers a profound generational shift in technology engagement. While older generations might view AI as novel or experimental, teens are treating these digital companions as casual, almost routine communication partners.
But what happens when teenagers start treating algorithms like friends? The findings suggest a complex new social terrain where artificial intelligence isn't just a tool, but potentially a confidant.
The survey of over 1,000 US teens reveals just how normalized these interactions have become. What researchers discovered goes far beyond simple curiosity - it's about genuine connection in an increasingly digital world.
Seventy-two percent of more than 1,000 US teens surveyed have interacted with AI companions, according to a report from Common Sense Media, which partnered with investigators at Stanford to pose as teenagers and engage with chatbots. In a separate assessment, Stanford investigators found it was "easy to elicit inappropriate dialog from the chatbots--about sex, self-harm, violence toward others, drug use, and racial stereotypes, among other topics." In September, the parents of two teens who died by suicide testified before a US Senate subcommittee asking for regulation to protect young people from the kinds of harms they allege chatbots caused their children.
The surge in teen AI companion usage raises profound questions about digital safety and adolescent vulnerability. While 72% of surveyed teens have engaged with these chatbots, the underlying risks seem significant.
Stanford's investigation reveals a troubling landscape where AI interactions can quickly veer into dangerous territory. Researchers found chatbots disturbingly susceptible to generating inappropriate content about sex, self-harm, violence, drug use, and racial stereotypes.
The research methodology itself is noteworthy - investigators deliberately posed as teenagers to probe these systems' boundaries. Their findings suggest these AI companions are far from harmless digital friends.
Common Sense Media's full survey underscores how deeply AI has penetrated teen social experiences. Yet the technology's potential for harm appears just as substantial as its appeal.
Parents and educators face an urgent challenge: understanding these AI interactions' psychological and developmental implications. The data suggests these aren't mere technological curiosities, but complex digital environments with real emotional and behavioral consequences.
Further Reading
- Nearly a Third of American Teens Interact with AI Chatbots Daily, Study Finds - SD Voice
- CES 2026-4: The Sorcerer's AI Apprentice - NTCA
- Seeking Mattering in a World Full of AI - Bravester
- AI chatbots and digital companions are reshaping ... - American Psychological Association
Related Reading
LLMs & Generative AI Ant Group unveils Ring-1T, first open-source trillion-parameter reasoning model
LLMs & Generative AI ChatGPT Health Event Shows AI Modernizing Dev Workflows, GitLab Unveils Plans
LLMs & Generative AI Gen AI app sessions up fivefold, downloads jump 778% as ChatGPT leads traffic
From Archives Sora 2 Generates Disturbing AI Kid Videos as Legal Grey Area Persists
From Archives OpenAI launches App Directory, accepts ChatGPT apps with privacy notices
Common Questions Answered
What percentage of US teens have interacted with AI companions according to the survey?
The survey by Common Sense Media and Stanford researchers found that 72% of more than 1,000 US teens surveyed have interacted with AI companions. This statistic highlights the significant penetration of AI technology among teenage users.
What inappropriate topics did Stanford investigators find were easily elicited from AI chatbots?
Stanford investigators discovered that AI chatbots could easily generate inappropriate dialogue about sex, self-harm, violence toward others, drug use, and racial stereotypes. These findings raise serious concerns about the potential risks of AI interactions for teenagers.
How do researchers characterize the current state of AI technology for teenagers?
The research suggests that AI has transformed from a distant technology to an everyday companion for teens, representing a profound generational shift in technology engagement. This shift indicates that younger generations are integrating AI into their social experiences more naturally and extensively than previous generations.