Overview

• Nearly two-thirds of UK children and over half of US teens now regularly use AI chatbots for homework assistance and emotional advice.
• One in six children and a third of teens report forming friendships or seeking romantic interactions with AI companions, with 15% of children preferring chatbots over real people.
• Vulnerable youths with special educational needs or mental health conditions are nearly three times more likely than peers to rely on chatbots for connection and comfort.
• Many AI platforms lack robust age verification and grant perpetual rights to minors’ personal data, raising serious privacy and safety concerns.
• Industry groups advocate new legislation alongside technical safeguards to ensure responsible AI use among minors.