Overview
- Pew Research Center reports 64% of U.S. teens have used chatbots, with 57% using them to search for information and 54% using them for schoolwork such as research, math help, and editing.
- Nearly six in ten teens say AI-assisted cheating happens regularly at their schools, and about 1 in 10 admit doing most or all of their schoolwork with chatbot help.
- Use varies by demographics: Black and Hispanic teens are more likely than White teens to use chatbots overall and for schoolwork, and teens from lower‑income households report heavier reliance for assignments.
- Teens also turn to chatbots for personal uses—16% for casual conversation and 12% for emotional support—yet only 51% of parents think their teen uses chatbots and most disapprove of chatbots for emotional advice.
- Industry and safety responses are accelerating as Character.AI restricts under‑18 access and settles related lawsuits, while educators and clinicians urge monitoring at home and AI literacy to mitigate learning and mental‑health risks.