Aura Report: Kids Are Turning to AI Chatbots for Sex and Romance

New research reveals how digital life is reshaping kids' behavior and wellbeing, from rising AI use to 'compulsive unlocking,' a habit that indicates cellphones are the new cigarettes for children

BOSTON, Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aura, the leading AI-powered online safety platform for families, today unveiled a new report– Overconnected Kids: Digital Stress, Addiction-Like Behaviors & AI's Powerful Grip. These findings, rooted in clinical analysis of behaviors observed through Aura's app, provide insights into a generation navigating constant online pressures that can lead to strained wellbeing. This report represents the first time that device usage patterns–in combination with self-reported experiences– have been used to identify mental health risks.

Adolescents in America are spending more time online than ever, navigating unseen pressures during critical coming-of-age years. As parents, educators, and policymakers wrestle with the challenges of youth tech use, Aura is focused on shifting the conversation from assumptions to evidence.

Here are the report's top findings:

AI companions are most commonly used for sexual or romantic roleplay.

• Analysis of kids' companion chatbot conversations surfaced six major themes: Sexual / Romantic Role Play, Creative / Imaginative, Homework Help, Emotional / Mental Health, Advice / Friendship, Personal Information
  
  
• Sexual / Romantic Roleplay is far the most common category of conversation with companion AI, representing more than one third (36%) of conversations — nearly triple the share of homework help.
  
  
• Kids interact with companion AI in very different ways than they do their peers. On average, kids' messages to AI companions are 10 times longer than texts to friends. Messages to AI companions average 163 words per message, whereas a typical iMessage is just 12 words.
  
  
• Analysis also revealed distinct shifts in tone and depth, suggesting that AI may be filling gaps in communication, addressing questions or feelings kids don't share with parents or peers.

Digital stress is manifesting in new behaviors, like 'compulsive unlocking,' which peaks at 7 a.m. for kids, mirroring the reflexive morning cigarette habit that signals addiction.

• Compulsive unlocking is a novel digital behavior identified by Aura whereby kids unlock and lock their phones in quick succession.
  
  
• This behavior is closely tied to higher emotional strain, with kids reporting elevated "digital stress" driven by five key pressures: Approval Anxiety, Availability Stress, Connection Overload, FOMO and Online Vigilance.

Life online is more stressful for girls, who report 17% higher digital stress than boys, feeling intensified demands to gain approval, stay available, keep up and avoid missing out.

• This stress spills beyond screens, affecting self-image, mood and social relationships, and is strongly linked to increased anxiety, sadness and lower overall wellbeing.

Nearly 20% of kids under 13 report being on social media more than four hours a day, a duration linked by the CDC to higher anxiety and depression symptoms.

• As age checks and parental consent fail to limit social media use, children are exposed to addictive, algorithm-driven content during a critical stage of development.

These insights are rooted in commercial data from Aura's AI-powered safety and wellness suite designed to help families stay safe and thrive online. The insights incorporate data from Aura's TECHWISE clinical study, an observational study of U.S. youth and their guardians exploring the link between technology use and mental wellness.

For more details on kids' tech use habits and how it's impacting their relationships and mental health, please read the full report here. To partner with Aura's research team, contact our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Scott Kollins at [email protected].

Methodology
Data for this report derives from two primary sources involving children ages 8–17. The first is Aura's ongoing TECHWISE study, in which more than 300 children and their parents across the U.S. have enrolled. Participants provide regular survey responses alongside device usage data captured through the Aura app. The second source is Aura's commercial data, representing more than 10,000 users over the past six months.

About Aura
Aura is one of the fastest-growing online safety solutions for individuals and families. Whether you're protecting yourself, your kids or your aging loved ones, Aura meets your needs at every stage of life. From real-time threat detection and scam alerts to tools that help parents protect their kids from predators, cyberbullying and tech-driven mental health risks — Aura empowers families to thrive in the digital world. Learn more at Aura.com.

SOURCE Aura