As a teenage girl, there was no safer space than the bubble of my friend circle. The crazy, the silly, the sad, the hilarious\u2014no topic nor its accompanying emotions were off the table. <\/p>\n
Many teens today may feel the same about their friend groups, yet a growing contingent of young people may name their AI<\/a> companion amongst their most trusted confidantes. Common Sense Media surveyed more than 1,000 teens in 2025 and found that more than half are regular users of AI companions on platforms like Character.AI, Replika, and similar conversational AI systems. Thirty-three percent<\/a> of teens reported using AI companions for social interaction and relationships.<\/p>\n Why AI Companions Appeal to Teens <\/p>\n The appeal of AI companions extends past simple proximity; the real draw may lie in how AI companions are designed and how they meet specific adolescent developmental needs. In exploring the benefits and risks of AI companions to teens, researchers Xiaoran Sun and team<\/a> found that AI companions provide controlled, low-risk spaces where teens can talk about their identities and emotions without judgment, and experience levels of intimacy<\/a> with unexpected rejections. They note that the AI-teen<\/a> dynamic offers an exchange that provides ample validation for the teen without the compromise and reciprocity generally needed for human relationships. Both the self-disclosure and the validation<\/a> provide a form of intimacy and closeness similar to what one would gain from a human relationship. Chatbots mimic emotions well<\/a>, and that presentation of emotion<\/a> can evoke feelings of closeness. Sharing vulnerable information and emotional distress can provide a level of intimacy that feels remarkably like talking with a close friend. <\/p>\n The appeal and increased usage of AI companions may be especially strong for those who already struggle with face-to-face relationships, whether it be from social anxiety<\/a>, lack of peer interaction, etc. Some research shows that psychological attachment<\/a> may play a factor, as those who are avoidantly attached may engage to shield themselves from vulnerability and maintain boundaries<\/a>.<\/p>\n Is Emotional Safety the Real Draw\u2014Or Is It Control? <\/p>\n On the surface, these findings may suggest that teens find emotional safety in engaging with AI companions. Yet, the desire for this type of engagement may signal something deeper. Researcher Xiaoran Sun<\/a> said: \u201cThe perfectly responsive, consistently supportive AI-C, programmed to be perpetually available, attentive, and adaptable, presents a model of relationships that is impossible to sustain in human interactions.\u201d What if the preference toward this type of engagement is not so much about emotional safety, but more about controlling one\u2019s environment in a way where less emotional resilience<\/a> is required? AI-based relationships offer a level of predictability and control that human interactions cannot. For those coming of age in an increasingly complex and chaotic world, the ability to exert control over a relationship may prove enticing. <\/p>\n Relatedly, these interactions may also signal a hesitancy to engage in offline situations that could eventually call for emotional resilience\u2014maybe they perceive they aren\u2019t resilient or maybe they just haven\u2019t had the opportunity to practice resilience in real relationships. Either way, teens may be embracing AI companions as a way of meeting needs for connection while avoiding social risk\u2014thereby missing opportunities to learn how to navigate the business of relating, one messy human to another. <\/p>\n Reducing Dependence on AI Companions<\/p>\n Like most recommendations surrounding teens and social media<\/a>, the best way to reduce a teen\u2019s dependence on digitized interactions and relationships is to ensure they have quality relationships offline. This may be particularly important for younger teens, who, if using them, are more likely to trust AI companions<\/a> and heed their advice. Walking alongside teens and providing a safe offline space for them to discuss their feelings and experiences not only can reduce the need for deep connection with an AI companion, but also offer the chance to engage in the emotional resilience they\u2019ll need to maintain relationships in the future. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As a teenage girl, there was no safer space than the bubble of my friend circle. 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