Teens Increasingly Turn to Chatbots for Schoolwork and Emotional Support
Just over half of U.S. Teenagers report using chatbots to assist with their schoolwork, while 12% have sought emotional support from these artificial intelligence tools, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center released today, .
The findings, detailed in the report, suggest a growing reliance on AI among young people, but also a generally optimistic outlook regarding the technology’s future impact. The study doesn’t delve into the specific types of schoolwork for which teens are utilizing chatbots, nor does it specify the nature of the emotional support received.
The Pew Research Center has been tracking internet and technology trends for over two decades, documenting the evolving ways Americans connect, gather information, and navigate daily life. This latest report builds on previous research examining internet use, broadband adoption, and digital divides within the U.S. Population.
A fact sheet released in revealed that 96% of U.S. Adults now use the internet. The data was collected through a survey of 5,022 U.S. Adults conducted between and , utilizing a multimode approach including web, mail, and phone interviews to ensure broad representation.
The research team, led by Colleen McClain, Senior Researcher, and Monica Anderson, Director of Internet and Technology Research, employed address-based sampling and weighted the survey results to accurately reflect the demographics of the U.S. Adult population. The methodology team, including Courtney Kennedy and Scott Keeter, provided guidance throughout the project.
The report on teen AI usage also benefited from input from external experts, including Michael Madaio, Senior Research Scientist at Google Research, and Mary Madden, an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University. Shreya Singh Hernández of the Aspen Institute and S. Craig Watkins of the University of Texas at Austin also contributed their expertise.
While the Pew Research Center report highlights the increasing adoption of AI tools by teenagers, it doesn’t offer insights into potential concerns surrounding accuracy, bias, or the development of critical thinking skills. Further research will likely be needed to fully understand the long-term implications of this trend.
The growing use of digital tools for information gathering and support is also reflected in broader trends regarding news consumption. A separate Pew Research Center report from , found that three-in-ten U.S. Adults occasionally get news from email newsletters, though many don’t regularly read the newsletters they subscribe to.
The Pew Research Center continues to monitor these evolving trends, providing data and analysis to inform public understanding of the issues, attitudes, and trends shaping the world. Their work on internet and technology, available at pewresearch.org/topic/internet-technology, offers a comprehensive overview of the digital landscape in the United States.
