By: Tony Davenport
A third of young people are now using an AI companion, according to new research.
The RELATE Project 2026, by Christian youth ministry Young Life, spoke to over 7,100 teenagers and young adults across 11 different countries including the US, UK, Argentina, Mexico, India and Nigeria.
Its study found that in 2025 the average young person had 4.4 close relationships, down from 5.3 in 2023.
When it comes to discussing the subjects that really matter to them, on average, young people said they only had two people in their lives who they trusted to do that.
Confidentiality Key To Helping Young People
Around 40% of young people said they were not fully confident that there was a single adult in their life who had a genuine interest in listening to them.
In order to build trust with such an adult, 73% said that confidentiality was the most important factor.
“Without confidentiality, people will shut down and go back to not talking about feelings,” one participant said.
Dr Kimberly Nollan, Director of Research and Practice at Young Life, said: “To walk alongside today’s young people, we have to put down our own distractions and show up in their world.”
“This starts with proving we are safe enough to listen – protecting their confidentiality and offering space for them without immediately trying to offer advice or judgement.”
40% Of Young People Don’t Feel Worthy
The study found close relationships to be a protective factor against challenges and hardships in life.
“In RELATE 2024, we found four in 10 young people were not confident they were worthy of being loved. This finding broke our hearts!” said Young Life.
“In RELATE 2026, we see a similar dynamic: 62% of Gen Z and Alpha rate their worthiness of being loved at an 8, 9, or 10 out of 10, leaving nearly four in 10 who report lower certainty.”
Those without a religious faith affiliation appear to be particularly vulnerable, with only half reporting confidence that they’re worthy of being loved.
Third of Young People Use An AI “Friend”
The research found that while most young people prefer face to face communication with their friends (64% – up 10 points from 2023), the use of AI companions appears to becoming more prevalent, particularly with younger teenagers.
Over a third (35%) of young people reported using an AI companion, rising to 45% among those aged 13 to 15.
A majority (60%) of those who use an AI companion say they feel more comfortable sharing their problems with AI than with real-world friends and family.
“Young People Would Prefer Trusted Adults As Mentors”
But Newt Crenshaw, President and CEO of Young Life, explained that’s not what they really want.
“The RELATE Project tells us that while young people are constantly connected online, they are craving authentic, in-person community.”
“They don’t want perfect, frictionless screens.”
“They are looking for trusted, consistent adults who will step into their worlds, earn and keep their trust, and simply be there to listen.”
Young Africans Turning To AI “Friends”
The findings offer a particularly interesting picture for Africa where five countries were surveyed — Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Liberia and Ethiopia.
Millions of young Africans are coming online as the continent undergoes a rapid digital transformation.
Technology is increasingly filling gaps that already exist in their relationships.
“Very Few People Show Up For Me”
One of the clearest examples came from a Zimbabwean male participant who described himself as “being someone others turn to during difficult moments.”
“I’m the kind of person people go to when they’re going through things, but very few people show up for me,” he observed.
He said that after training his AI system to respond in ways he found useful, he sometimes turned to it when he was at his lowest to have deep conversations and work through his problems.
That experience helps explain why AI companionship is gaining traction among young people.
Loneliness Epidemic For Young People
The World Health Organization’s Commission On Social Connect reported in 2025 that about one in five adolescents and young adults experience loneliness.
The rate was higher in low-income countries, where 24.3% of people reported loneliness compared with 11.2% in high-income countries.
The commission said loneliness is shaped by social and economic conditions as well as technology.
A recent Kenya study involving 1,445 secondary school students found loneliness was central to a network of psychosocial factors affecting adolescents, including depression, anxiety, social support and well-being.
Top Takeaways From Study
Young Life concludes the main takeaways of the latest survey are:
- Gen Z and Gen Alpha sincerely want relationships with us.
- They also have a lot to offer us, and the world.
- They’re willing to challenge bad precedents and call out empty promises.
- They’re optimistic, even if they feel anxious.
- They’re kind, emotionally attuned, and they want to help make the world a better place.
- It takes time and work to learn how to be human.
- Being human includes being embodied.
- It includes asking questions.
- It includes deep relationships with others.
- It includes faith in something even if it’s not God.
Article supplied with thanks to Vision Christian Media.
Feature image: canva.com
