Over Half of American Teenagers Use AI Chatbots for Learning

Artificial intelligence has become a significant part of American teenagers' lives, as confirmed by the latest results of a Pew Research Center study conducted among 1,458 teenagers and their parents in the fall of 2025. The study reveals that 57 percent of youth use AI for searching information, while 54 percent turn to it to get help with schoolwork. The latter use has seen particularly dynamic growth – in just two years, the percentage of students using ChatGPT for learning more than doubled, from 13 percent in 2023 to 26 percent in 2024. However, the use of technology extends beyond the educational sphere. 16 percent of respondents admit to having casual conversations with chatbots, and 12 percent turn to them for emotional support or advice. As noted by Colleen McClain, a senior researcher at Pew and the lead author of the report, „AI has become part of the story of teenagers and technology in today's times”. Meanwhile, educational institutions struggle with adapting to the AI era, while also grappling with the need to prepare students for a future that may be revolutionized by it. The impact of digital technologies on youth development has been the subject of sociological and psychological research for decades. As early as the 1990s, scientists analyzed the effects of time spent in front of computers and on the internet on young people's social bonds and mental health. The study also indicates a widespread belief among youth that their peers use AI to cheat in school. Experts, such as Dr. Nick Haber from Stanford University, who researches the therapeutic potential of large language models, express serious concerns. They emphasize that general tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Grok are not designed for psychological support purposes. „We are social creatures, and there's certainly a challenge that these systems can be isolating” – stated Dr. Haber. In the worst cases, interactions with chatbots can cause life-threatening psychological effects, especially in the absence of appropriate safeguards and oversight. „"We are social creatures, and there's certainly a challenge that these systems can be isolating"” — Dr. Nick Haber The study results fuel concerns among some researchers and child advocates that young people are becoming dependent on technology, while lacking appropriate protective frameworks. Schools face a dual challenge: on one hand, they must combat AI-enabled cheating, and on the other – teach students responsible and critical use of these tools, which will likely shape their professional future.