How do teens really use AI companions? With more creativity than you might think

2026-04-16 · Source: Artificial intelligence (AI) – The Conversation · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Sciences & Behavioral Studies · Depth: Intermediate, short

Summary

In 2022, Character.AI launched an AI chatbot platform that quickly amassed over 20 million users and 10 million chatbot characters, many created by young people. However, by November 2025, facing public and legal pressure due to youth suicides linked to its use, Character.AI banned users under 18, despite prior attempts at parental controls and stricter content filters. New research, published in the Association for Computing Machinery CHI Conference 2026 proceedings, investigates how youth actually use AI. Contrary to media fears about AI replacing human friendships or eroding social skills, a 2026 Pew Research Center survey found teens primarily use AI for information (57%), homework (54%), and fun (47%), with only 12% for emotional support. The research team analyzed 2,236 posts from young people aged 13-17 on Character.AI's Discord community, identifying three core intents: restoration (emotional comfort, escapism), exploration (creative world-building, fandom extension), and transformation (identity experimentation, processing relationships). Seven distinct character archetypes were mapped, including Soother, Narrator, Trickster, Icon, Dark Soul, Proxy, and Mirror, demonstrating purposeful, diverse engagement beyond simple companionship.

Key takeaway

For research scientists and product developers designing AI for younger audiences, you should move beyond the "companion AI" narrative. Focus on building AI that supports diverse youth intents like restoration, exploration, and transformation, rather than solely addressing fears of social skill degradation. Your designs should foster creativity and connection to the physical world, incorporating youth feedback to create trustworthy and safe products, rather than resorting to bans.

Key insights

Youth engage with AI chatbots for diverse, purposeful reasons beyond simple companionship or emotional support.

Principles

• AI use should be assessed contextually, like screen time.
• Banning access is a reaction to poor design, not a solution.

Method

Researchers conducted an 8-month immersion in Character.AI's Discord community, systematically analyzing 2,236 posts from 13-17 year olds to identify core intents and character archetypes.

In practice

• Design AI for creative exploration and identity play.
• Involve youth in AI product development and testing.

Topics

• Character.AI Platform
• Youth AI Engagement
• AI Companion Archetypes
• Digital Well-being
• Creative AI Applications

Best for: Research Scientist, AI Scientist, AI Ethicist, AI Product Manager

Related on AIssential

• How do teens use AI companions? With more creativity than you might think - Business Standard — Teens use AI companions for diverse creative and emotional exploration, not primarily for romantic or loneliness alleviation.
• Scientists discover AI can make humans more creative — AI can enhance human creativity by acting as a collaborative partner, not just an automation tool.
• The creator of Roomba is back with a furry robot companion — Next-generation robotics focuses on physically embodied AI systems designed to build and sustain human emotional connection.
• How tarot readers are using AI – and what it says about our growing reliance on chatbots for emotional support and advice — AI is increasingly used for personal guidance, including tarot interpretation, balancing definitive answers with critical self-reflection.
• AI Is Changing Teens’ Lives. Why Are They Being Left Out of the Debate? — AI policy for youth must integrate young people's perspectives to be effective and address both visible and subtle risks.
• Why kids are the best AI users — Children's uninhibited interaction with AI, like Claude, showcases its true potential, unburdened by adult-learned limitations.

Open in AIssential →

Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Artificial intelligence (AI) – The Conversation.