Most Children Now Use AI Chatbots, and Many Confide in Them After Distressing Experiences

A new report on young people's online habits finds that the large majority of minors are using AI chatbots, and that many turn to them for guidance after confusing or harmful experiences online, including incidents of a sexual nature. The survey, conducted by the child safety nonprofit Thorn with analysis from the firm Burson, drew on responses from more than 1,000 young people ages 9-17.

Sixty-seven percent of minors reported using an AI chatbot or companion. Nearly a third, 29 percent, turned to such tools for guidance on a sensitive or intimate topic, and 30 percent sought help after experiencing something scary or confusing. ChatGPT was the most commonly used tool, reported by 78 percent, followed by Gemini and Meta AI.

The reasons children give for turning to chatbots are often personal. Thirty-one percent said they used them to talk or get advice about romantic feelings or relationships, and 26 percent sought information about puberty or sexual health. Forty-seven percent reported using platforms despite not meeting the minimum age requirement of 13.

The report notes some positive trends, including overall declines in children sharing explicit images of themselves and in online sexual interactions. Even so, half of minors reported at least one potentially harmful online experience in 2025, and 27 percent reported an online sexual interaction. Amanda Goharian, director of research and insights at Thorn, said in a statement that AI is increasingly part of how young people process confusing or harmful experiences, and that questions remain about whether these tools are designed to respond in age-appropriate, trauma-informed ways that help young people turn to trusted adults.

The original reporting is by Jennifer Vilcarino for Education Week.