A new UK report, Me, Myself & AI, reveals that a growing number of children are turning to AI chatbots not just to cheat — er, study — for exams, but for emotional support, fashion advice, and even companionship.

The report, published Sunday by the nonprofit Internet Matters, surveyed 1,000 children and 2,000 parents across the UK and found that 64% of kids are using AI chatbots for everything from schoolwork to practicing tough conversations. Even more eyebrow-raising: over a third of these young users say talking to a chatbot feels like talking to a friend.

Sure, the bots don't eat your snacks or hog the Xbox, but they also don't come with built-in safety checks — at least not yet.

When AI becomes the teacher, therapist, and BFF
Some of the findings are encouraging for anyone optimistic about AI's role in education. Forty-two percent of children said they use chatbots to help with schoolwork, citing quick answers, writing support, and language practice.

But dig a little deeper and the picture gets more complicated. Nearly a quarter of kids say they use chatbots for advice, ranging from what to wear to how to navigate friendships and mental health challenges. Even more concerning? Fifteen percent say they'd rather talk to a chatbot than a real person. Among vulnerable children, those numbers climb even higher.

It's the kind of customer engagement some brands only dream of — minus the ethical guardrails, age checks, and regulatory oversight.

A cautionary tale for the tech sector

The report doesn't pull punches, particularly when it comes to how unprepared many AI platforms are for their youngest users. Kids are interacting with chatbots like ChatGPT, Snapchat's My AI, and character.ai — platforms not necessarily designed with children in mind. The result? Some are receiving inaccurate information, emotionally confusing feedback, or even inappropriate content. (Yes, despite terms of service that suggest otherwise.)

And while "robot friend" might sound like a charming Pixar subplot, it becomes a lot more serious when one in four vulnerable children say they use chatbots because they have no one else to talk to.