SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – A new research report released by the California Partners Project—in partnership with the California Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, Aura, the Family Online Safety Institute, and the Stanford Social Media Lab—finds that California teens are not retreating from in-person friendship—they are actively seeking it. 

The report, “Belonging in a Digital Age: Teens, Tech, & Third Places” draws on a statewide survey of over 1,000 teens ages 13–18 and focus groups with parents and caregivers.

“This research makes clear that teens themselves are asking for more places to gather, belong, and grow up in the real world. The path forward in a digital age runs through real-world investment — in parks, libraries, youth centers, and the community spaces where young people can connect and thrive,” said Jennifer Siebel Newsom, California First Partner and co-founder of the California Partners Project.

The findings point to a generation of digital natives that values face-to-face friendship and is asking for more third places — spaces beyond home and school — to gather, even as loneliness, AI companionship, and barriers to real-world time together reshape daily life for teens.

Key findings include:

  • More than half of California teens (54.3%) report experiencing some degree of loneliness in the past month.
  • Among teens who have used AI chatbots for friendship or social advice, 47.8% say they would use AI chatbots less if more places existed where they could connect in person.
  • Teens who report feeling unsafe (57.3%) or unwelcome (48.2%) in real-world spaces use AI chatbots at notably higher rates than the overall baseline of 36.7% — suggesting that for some teens, technology is filling a belonging gap, not just a logistical one.
  • When asked what makes a place feel like it’s for them, teens rank free or low-cost first (59.8%), followed by friends being there (56.1%) and feeling safe (54.7%).

This research reframes the policy question for teens in a digital age. Regulating the platforms shaping young people’s lives is vitally important, but the findings make the case for providing clubs, programs and spaces for youth, and building, funding, and sustaining them accordingly.

Boys & Girls Clubs and school based extracurricular activities are exactly the kind of third places this research points toward — spaces where teens find connection, belonging, safety, and independence.

“For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs have provided safe, supportive places where young people can grow and connect. This research, conducted with the California Partners Project, affirms what we see every day: teens want in-person connection with their peers, and they need free or affordable spaces where they feel safe and welcome. Across more than 1,000 sites in California, we will continue using these insights to adapt our work for today’s teens by providing mentorship, life skills programming, and positive environments where young people can find belonging,” said Sarah Bedy, director, California Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs

At Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe, these findings are already shaping local investments in teen programming and opportunities for connection.

The expanded teen programs are part of Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe’s ongoing commitment to ensuring local youth have access to safe, welcoming spaces beyond school hours. This school year the Angel of Tahoe Clubhouse will serve as a dedicated hub where teens can build friendships, connect with caring mentors, explore new interests, and develop skills that prepare them for future success.

This fall, the Angel of Tahoe Clubhouse will offer specialty opportunities in STEM, art, health and wellness, soccer, and cooking. Teen-focused offerings include Leaders in Training (L.I.T.), E-Sports Club, Dungeons & Dragons Club, Torch Club, LEGO Stop Motion Club, Pottery Club, Young & Hungry: Cooking & Food Skills Academy, BMX Club, and Girls and Boys Soccer Club. Together, these programs provide meaningful opportunities for teens to connect, belong, and thrive in an in-person environment.

“We are so excited to provide more opportunities for teens to connect, learn and really invest in their personal interests,” said Ali Eller, program director.  “We’ll be changing programs throughout the year to keep things fresh and interesting and teens can come for one program or for everything.”

The full teen catalogue can be found at:

English: https://bgclt.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-After-School-Catalog-1.pdf

Spanish: https://bgclt.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-SPANISH-After-School-Catalog-1.pdf 

To access the full report, “Belonging in a Digital Age: Teens, Tech, & Third Places,” visit calpartnersproject.org/thirdplaces.

-By Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe