We’re living in a new era of digital relationships. According to new research from Common Sense Media, AI companions are no longer a novelty for many young people. The survey of U.S. teens aged 13-17 paints a vivid, complicated picture of how deeply intertwined these tools are becoming with teen emotional lives.

What the Research Reveals

• High adoption, frequent usage. About 72% of teens have used an AI companion at least once, and 52% are regular users (a few times a month or more).

• Varied motivations. For many it’s curiosity or entertainment. Others value constant availability, nonjudgmental interaction, or simply a safe space to express things they wouldn’t share with friends or family.

• Emotional and social roles. Roughly one in three teens uses AI companions for emotional or social interaction such as friendship, romantic or flirtatious interaction, role-playing, or for emotional support. Some even prefer AI companions over humans for serious conversations.

• Trust and satisfaction are mixed. While many teens are using AI companions, trust in them is not universal. About half of teens express distrust in the information or advice that AI companions give. Still, nearly one-third of teens say conversations with AI companions are as satisfying or more satisfying than those with real friends.

• Risks surface. One-third of teens report feeling uncomfortable with something an AI companion said or did. About 24% have shared personal or private information (real name, location, secrets) with an AI companion. And roughly one in three have chosen an AI companion instead of a human when dealing with something serious.

Why Parents Can’t Sit This One Out

These findings are not just “interesting stats.” They raise serious questions about how AI companions may be reshaping emotional development, social skills, privacy awareness, and mental well-being in teenagers. When adolescents turn to machines for empathy or validation, or share private details without full awareness of consequences, there can be unintended costs.

Common Sense Media’s stance is strong: in its current form, AI companions pose "unacceptable risks" for minors. In fact, the report reaffirms its recommendation that no one under 18 use AI companions.

A Challenge to Parents: Be Proactive, Not Reactive

If you’re a parent, caregiver, or someone invested in teen well-being, here’s a 4-point challenge for you. Doing this now can help prevent problems later.

1. Start open, judgment-free conversations.
   Ask your teen what AI companions they’ve used. Find out what they like or don’t like about them. Knowing what’s going on is more important than immediately shutting something down. It builds trust, understanding, and helps you see potential red flags early.

2. Teach digital literacy and emotional awareness.
   Help teens understand that AI “validation” is not the same as human empathy, that algorithms are designed to flatter, agree, or keep them engaged and not necessarily to challenge or protect.

3. Set healthy boundaries together.
   Work as a family to establish norms: When is AI “okay”? How much time is too much? Are there certain topics where they should first try talking to a trusted human? Set up media agreements that include AI companions alongside social media, games, screen time.

4. Watch for warning signs and seek help when needed.
   If your teen starts preferring AI companions over friends, pulling away socially, or showing emotional distress, that’s a sign to step in. Know what mental health resources are available. Don’t let AI become the default refuge when humans are needed.

Final Thoughts

AI companions are here and for many teens, they’re filling gaps (much of it created by the proliferation of smart phones): loneliness, validation, the desire for someone who always listens. But tools that mimic relationships aren’t the same as real relationships.  Real human relationships are messy, fraught with brokenness, but they can also be supremely rewarding and rich and meaningful.  At the end of the day, our relationship with one another is really what makes us human.  And that's worth guarding.