How do teens use AI companions? With more creativity than you might think
Researchers studied how teens use AI companions, finding they use them more for creativity and entertainment than emotional support. The study analyzed data from Character.AI, a platform that was later banned for users under 18 due to safety concerns.
The American Academy of Paediatrics shifted screen-time guidelines to focus on individual child needs. Character.AI, a popular AI chatbot platform, was banned for users under 18 in November 2025 due to safety concerns. Researchers studied how teens used the platform before the ban, analyzing 2,236 posts from young users. They found that teens used AI for entertainment, creativity, and emotional comfort, with 68.2% of users identifying as female or non-binary. The top uses included restoration, exploration, and transformation, such as creating comfort bots or engaging in creative world-building. Teens used AI for various purposes, including seeking information, doing homework, and having fun, with only a small percentage using it for emotional support.
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