11 February 2026
Understanding How Teenagers Use AI Companions
A new report from Bangor University sheds light on how teenagers are engaging with AI companions such as ChatGPT and Character.ai. The study explores how young people aged 13 to 18 use these tools in their daily lives and what this means for schools.
The research found that AI companions are already a meaningful part of many teenagers’ digital worlds. Almost all respondents in the survey had used an AI companion at least once and a significant number use them regularly for advice, entertainment or curiosity. Many teenagers see these systems as helpful digital spaces where they can talk freely without judgement. The report shows that 56 per cent of young people believe these systems can think or understand although 77 per cent are clear that AI cannot feel.
One of the key findings is that AI companionship does not appear to be replacing real friendships for most young people. Two-thirds of respondents said their human friendships were not affected at all and a quarter felt AI companions had helped them build confidence in making new friends. However, a small minority did feel AI was replacing some friendships which is something schools may want to keep in mind.
The survey also revealed that teenagers are turning to AI for serious conversations. More than half had confided in an AI companion about something important at least once even though 44 per cent said they would never choose AI over a real person for significant matters. Many reported that AI tools feel safe and non-judgemental which provides a space they might not always find with peers.
Trust in AI was another important area. Just over half of teenagers expressed moderate to complete trust in the information and advice they receive from AI companions. A third felt neutral and a smaller group expressed distrust. This highlights the need for schools to continue developing pupils’ critical digital literacy so they can judge information sources effectively.
The report paints a picture of teenagers using AI companions in varied and pragmatic ways. While most young people still prefer human interaction a significant number find these tools satisfying to talk to and occasionally more comfortable than speaking with friends. For teachers this raises helpful questions about wellbeing support digital literacy and how schools can build safe and informed conversations about emerging technology.
Join us on Monday 9 March for an insightful session with Jenna from Common Sense Media. She will explore the key findings from Bangor University’s recent research and discuss what they mean for schools and educators. Jenna will also showcase a range of practical resources and support available to teachers to help promote AI literacy in their classrooms and across their wider school communities.