Overview
- The Youth AI Safety Institute at Common Sense Media released a nationally representative survey on Tuesday, Aug. 18 that found 70% of 13-to-17-year-olds use generative AI for schoolwork and 63% seek direct answers from those tools.
- Most teen users treat AI as a support tool with 77% saying it helps them brainstorm, check work or give feedback while 68% use multi-purpose chatbots such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Grok.
- Many teens report harms to learning: 38% say AI availability reduces their own idea generation and 39% feel they miss out on learning when they rely on AI to complete assignments.
- School policies and technical blocks are inconsistent and easily bypassed, with 44% of AI users encountering blocked tools on school networks and 59% of those switching to a personal device instead.
- Practitioners are responding with resources and pilots: Common Sense launched a free Digital Literacy & Well-Being curriculum on Aug. 18, and districts and state partners like Taylor and Michigan Virtual are developing guidance while experts warn schools need teacher training and clearer rules to protect learning and student safety.