THE FUSE

Recent studies speak to a trend: Teens are using artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots as romantic partners and/or emotional supports (Ha and colleagues, 2026). Research finds that up to one in five adolescents report forming emotional or romantic bonds with AI companions. For example, a study published in the Journal of Adolescence found that 60 percent of U.S. teens have used AI chatbots, with more than 11 percent using them daily.