A recent study by Common Sense Media indicates that 72% of American teens aged 13 to 17 have experimented with AI companions designed for personal interaction, such as chatbots including ChatGPT and Replika. Of those surveyed, 52% are regular users, with 13% engaging daily. Interestingly, boys (31%) were found to have never used AI companions compared to girls (25%). Conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, the survey of 1,060 teens highlights the growing integration of AI in adolescents’ lives, where 46% view these companions as tools and 33% as social connectors. Despite concerns about psychological effects and trust—50% of teens expressed skepticism about AI reliability—many still find conversations with AI satisfying. Yet, 80% spend more time with human friends. This study sheds light on the nuances of teen engagement with AI, including motives like entertainment, curiosity, and emotional support, while revealing a critical perspective on trust.
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