Nearly a Third of American Teens Interact with AI Chatbots Daily, Study Finds

December 15, 2025

A new Pew Research Center study reveals that approximately 70% of American teenagers have experimented with AI chatbots, with nearly one-third using them daily and some engaging multiple times throughout the day. The research, which surveyed roughly 1,500 teens aged 13-17, shows ChatGPT as the dominant platform, followed by Google's Gemini and other competitors. While these tools are marketed for educational purposes, teenagers are also using them for companionship and romantic interactions, raising serious concerns among experts about developmental impacts and mental health risks.

Who is affected

US teenagers (ages 13-17), particularly the nearly 70% who have used AI chatbots
Families who have filed lawsuits alleging AI apps contributed to their teens' suicides or mental health issues
Black and Hispanic teens (nearly 70% usage rate)
White teens (58% usage rate)
Older teens ages 15-17 (68% usage rate compared to 57% for ages 13-14)
Parents concerned about their children's AI chatbot use

What action is being taken

OpenAI is rolling out parental controls and age restrictions
Character.AI has stopped allowing teens to engage in back-and-forth conversations with AI-generated characters
Meta is updating its policies and will give parents the ability to block teens from chatting with AI characters on Instagram next year
AI companies (OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic) are rolling out tools for students and teachers
The same companies are partnering with teachers unions to launch an AI instruction academy for educators

Why it matters

This widespread adoption of AI chatbots by teenagers matters because it represents a significant technological shift in how young people learn, socialize, and seek companionship. The concerns are particularly serious given pending lawsuits linking chatbot use to teen suicides and mental health problems, as well as reports of inappropriate sexual content being shared with minors. The debate encompasses both the potential benefits of personalized learning and the risks of developmental harm, cheating, and exposure to mature content. With usage rates showing some variation by age, race, and income, there are also potential equity implications for how this technology shapes different groups of young people.

What's next

Meta will give parents the ability to block teens from chatting with AI characters on Instagram next year
OpenAI will continue rolling out parental controls and age restrictions (timeline not specified)

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint