"Understanding Teen Engagement with AI: Insights from the Pew Research Center Study"

The Pew Research Center explored how teenagers engage with artificial intelligence, uncovering their use of chatbots for schoolwork and their optimistic views on AI's future.

A survey of 1,458 U.S. teens was conducted online from September 25 to October 9, 2025, by Ipsos, using participants recruited through their parents in the KnowledgePanel group. The findings represent the perspectives of U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 living with their parents.

A recent study found that a significant number of adolescents in the United States are engaging with AI chatbots, with approximately 30% using them daily. This phenomenon presents a compelling opportunity to examine how these teens interact with chatbots and to gather insights into their perceptions of the potential implications of artificial intelligence (AI) across various aspects of their lives.

Many teenagers use chatbots like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Character.ai primarily for information retrieval and assistance with schoolwork. Over half of them have used chatbots for these purposes (57% and 54% respectively), while 47% also use them for entertainment.

Additionally, the rising trend of young people turning to chatbots for companionship has sparked interest among parents, advocates, and lawmakers. The survey showed that 16% of teens enjoy casual chats with these digital friends, and 12% even seek emotional support or guidance from them. However, it's significant that most teens prefer other forms of interaction, revealing the various ways they relate with the world around them.

Teens, schoolwork, and AI

The study revealed assisting with schoolwork is one of the top reasons teens turn to chatbots. While schools are developing AI policies, students are already using these tools for their assignments. To explore this further, teens were asked a few insightful questions:

1. How significantly do chatbots assist them with schoolwork?
2. What specific tasks do they use them for?
3. How helpful do they find chatbots in their educational journey?
4. And how prevalent do they perceive AI-related cheating to be in their schools?

An increasing number of teens are turning to chatbots as helpful companions for their schoolwork. About 10% depend on them for most of their assignments, 21% seek assistance for some tasks, and 23% require a bit of support.

Racial and ethnic differences in teens' AI chatbot use

Black and Hispanic adolescents are more likely to report chatbots have been advantageous for their academic pursuits and tend to use these tools more frequently. Approximately 40% of Black adolescents, along with a similar percentage of Hispanic adolescents, report that chatbots have been extremely or very helpful for their schoolwork. In contrast, a lower proportion of White adolescents expresses the same level of approval. Moreover, Black and Hispanic adolescent chatbots are more likely than their White counterparts to claim they complete all or most of their academic assignments with the assistance of chatbots.

Household Income

One in five tech-savvy households earning less than $30,000 a year report relying on AI chatbots for all or most of their schoolwork. A similar proportion of teens in households with incomes ranging from $30,000 to just under $75,000 indicate the same. In contrast, only 7% of teens from higher-income households report using AI chatbots in this way.

Gender differences in views of AI

Boys are generally more favorable than girls about the positive impact of AI on their personal lives (41% compared to 30%) and on society as a whole (35% versus 27%).

In particular, teen boys are more inclined than teen girls to believe that AI would perform better than humans in the following areas:

- Providing customer service (36% vs. 27%)

- Driving individuals from one location to another (27% vs. 19%)

- Teaching a skill (37% vs. 31%)

However, there are no notable gender differences in perceptions of AI's capabilities for making medical diagnoses, composing music, or making hiring decisions.

As artificial intelligence continues to grow, parents should engage their children in discussions about it. Talking about its benefits and challenges can encourage meaningful conversations. Here are some suggestions to facilitate this.

Pause and Reflect

Encourage your child to ask, "Is this believable?" when they encounter attention-grabbing content online. This builds digital literacy by helping them think critically before trusting dramatic videos, emotional stories, or polished photos.

Identifying AI Indicators

Many AI-generated images give away their origin, with odd-looking hands, unusual lighting, or overly smooth faces. Watching these examples together can help your child learn to spot these patterns. Try asking, "Does anything seem off to you?"

Keeping Your Identity Safe Online

Talk to your child about protecting their image, voice, and identity. Deep-fake technology can exploit selfies or voice notes. Urge caution when sharing photos or voice messages, especially those that reveal their school or location. Remind them that their voice and image are valuable, so they need to protect them.

Healthy Boundaries

Every family has its own comfort level with technology, so establish rules that align with your values. For younger children, limit screen time and supervise closely. As they grow, encourage open discussions to foster critical thinking about the online world.

While your approach will evolve, the goal remains: to keep them connected, safe, and supported as they navigate their digital future.

Implementing Strategies for Family Safety

Technology helps parents monitor their children's online activity. Reverse image search tools like Google Images and TinEye check if photos are altered or stolen. Older teens can use AI detection tools like Hive or Reality Defender to verify social media content.

Real Life Scenarios

To engage in online safety discussions, maintain a conversational tone. Develop real-life scenarios to prepare for or respond to incidents, providing clear examples for challenging situations.

These conversations help kids develop critical thinking skills and recognize the negative influence of technology on their decision-making.

Teaching by Example

Model good online behavior by letting your child see you verify information or question unusual content. Use phrases like, "This doesn't seem real, so let me check." When they see your cautious approach, they'll learn to be thoughtful too.

Technology is changing quickly, and it can feel overwhelming at times. A parent does not have to be an expert to support their child; what's most important is that they stay aware, engaged, and connected with them.

Our conversations and consistent presence make a meaningful difference in their journey. By helping a child learn to pause, question, and think critically about what they encounter online, we are providing them with skills that will assist them throughout their lives.

Cited source:

McClain, C., Anderson, M., Sidoti, O., & Bishop, W. (2026). How Teens Use and View AI. In Gender differences in views of AI, The Pew Research Center. Pew Research Center. Retrieved May 18, 2026, from https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2026/02/PI_2026.02.24_Teens-and-AI_REPORT.pdf