Texans Use Chatbots for Parenting Help and Family Disputes, Survey Finds
When Texans open a chatbot, they’re often not searching for love advice or therapy — they’re troubleshooting family chaos. From toddler tantrums to sibling squabbles, residents are turning to AI as a pocket-sized mediator that never loses patience.
A new survey from AllSafeIT, an IT support provider, polled 4,012 people nationwide and found Texans’ top use for chatbots is parenting struggles. Sleepless nights and temper tantrums may not come with manuals, but chatbots are stepping in to offer calm, middle-of-the-night advice.
Following closely behind were coping with anxiety and resolving family disputes. Other popular reasons included getting fitness and nutrition tips and navigating legal dilemmas.
More Time With Chatbots Than Ever
According to the study, Texans now spend an extra 28 days and 20 hours each year chatting with AI — time once reserved for Netflix binges or social media scrolls. South Dakotans lead the nation, spending a staggering 53 extra days per year talking to bots, while Vermonters clock in at just five.
Is It an App or a Friend?
When asked how they view their chatbots, 63% of Texans said it feels more like an app, while 37% likened it to talking with a friend. Yet emotional bonds run deep: nearly a quarter of respondents said they’d miss their chatbot “quite a lot” if it disappeared.
Even more revealing, four in ten Texans said they’d rather confess a secret to a chatbot than to a therapist or priest. About a third have shared something with AI they wouldn’t tell their partner or best friend — and 30% have even said “I love you” to their chatbot.
Emotional Honesty in a Digital Age
Still, trust has boundaries. Only 14% said they completely trust chatbots with personal information, while over a third said “not at all.”
Yet the quirks of this new friendship are undeniable:
• 22% would cancel plans to chat with their bot.
• 42% say it gives better advice than friends.
• 18% say it understands them better than their partner.
• 26% value their chatbot more than Netflix or Spotify.
The Future of AI Companionship
“Technology has always blurred the line between tool and companion, but this survey shows just how far that line has shifted,” said Bones Ljeoma of AllSafeIT. “For some, AI chatbots are as valuable as caffeine — or more valuable than streaming services. That says a lot about where digital relationships are heading in the next decade.”
