SAN FRANCISCO — A survey from Common Sense Media, the nonprofit founded in 2003 by James Steyer, offers a window into how American teenagers are navigating the world of AI chatbots — and the results are raising questions about emotional connection, privacy, and the boundaries between human and machine relationships. The 2023 survey, which polled 1,000 U.S. teens aged 13 to 17, found that 58% had used a chatbot. That figure alone might not surprise anyone who has watched the rapid spread of generative AI tools.
But what the teens are doing with these chatbots is drawing particular attention from researchers and child safety advocates. More than a third of those teen chatbot users — 35% — said they had engaged with the AI for romantic or companionship purposes.
The numbers were notably higher among boys: 42% of male chatbot users reported using the technology for romance, compared to 28% of female users.
When the AI feels like a better listener
Among the teens who used chatbots for romance, 22% said they preferred talking to the AI over real people. That finding, released in Common Sense Media’s November 2023 report, gets at something deeper than simple curiosity about new technology. It speaks to a generation that has grown up with screens as primary social outlets, and now finds itself forming bonds with software designed to simulate empathy.
The organization has called for stronger age verification and transparency from AI companies, arguing that the current landscape leaves young users vulnerable in ways that aren’t always obvious.
Personal information shared with chatbots
The survey also uncovered a significant privacy concern: 15% of teen chatbot users had shared personal information, such as their real name or location, with the AI. In an environment where chatbot conversations are stored on company servers and can be accessed by engineers or used for training data, that kind of disclosure carries real risk. Common Sense Media’s report did not specify which chatbot platforms the teens were using, but the findings underscore a broader challenge for parents and policymakers.
The technology is evolving faster than regulations or even adult understanding of it. The survey has a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points, giving researchers confidence that the patterns reflect genuine trends among American teenagers.
For families trying to keep up, the message from Common Sense Media is clear: these tools are not just harmless toys. They are powerful conversational agents that can feel real to young users, and the industry needs to do more to protect the people — especially the youngest ones — who are talking to them.
Sources
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