As artificial intelligence embeds itself into the daily routines of American youth, two new surveys show that nearly two-thirds of tweens and teens use AI chatbots.
Nearly Two-Thirds of American Youth Use AI Chatbots
Artificial intelligence chatbots are increasingly becoming a regular part of life for American youth. Two new surveys show that nearly two-thirds of tweens and teens use AI chatbots. The first report, conducted by the online safety advocacy group Common Sense Media, documents how early this engagement begins. According to their data, nearly half of children aged 9 to 12 have already used an AI chatbot or companion, well before reaching the minimum age requirement of 13 enforced by most popular chatbots. By the time adolescents turn 13, that adoption rate climbs to nearly three-quarters.
A second survey from the JED Foundation surveyed 5,500 9-to-17-year-olds in schools across the country, finding that 90% have used an AI chatbot. Nearly two-thirds use it both for schoolwork and as companions, or when they are stressed, lonely, anxious or overwhelmed. Developmental psychologist Anne Maheux at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, who was not involved in either survey, characterized the findings as remarkable in capturing how dramatically AI use by children and teens has changed in a short time.
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It seems like just a few years ago, no one was using the technology. And now it seems like roughly the same number of kids using it for homework are using it to get emotional support or help with coping.
Academic Support Meets Emotional Reliance
For many students, chatbots serve dual functions as digital tutors and stress management outlets. In Round Rock, Texas, 15-year-old Arjun Sharda utilizes both OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini to parse difficult academic material and generate practice exam questions. Sharda noted that he and his peers also turn to chatbots when they are stressed and anxious. Facing a chemistry test on conversions and moles, he repeatedly asked ChatGPT whether he would be OK and if his GPA would still be fine.
In Raynham, Mass., 17-year-old McKenzie Craig has integrated chatbots into her routine since she was in eighth grade. Craig uses the platforms to prioritize tasks and to evaluate her writing. After drafting an essay, she runs the text through either Grammarly or ChatGPT to receive feedback before revising her work. While these practical applications streamline daily workloads, researchers are closely examining the psychological trade-offs of turning to algorithms for comfort.
Researchers Report Higher Rates of Poor Mental Health Among Young AI Users
The JED Foundation’s research team also evaluated student well-being, looking specifically at correlations between AI usage patterns and indicators of well-being, history of suicidal ideation and attempts, and poor mental health. Kayla Anderson, vice president of research and evaluation at the JED Foundation, stated that young people utilizing AI during periods of emotional distress report higher rates of poor mental health and well-being outcomes, alongside a greater history of suicidal thoughts and attempts. Anderson cautioned, however, that the data don’t suggest a causal link.
Researchers remain uncertain whether chatbot reliance actively degrades mental health or if adolescents already experiencing distress simply gravitate toward automated platforms. Preliminary insights gathered by Maheux and her colleagues at the University of North Carolina point toward a potentially compounding loop. In an upcoming study tracking middle schoolers within one state, Maheux’s team observed that students who relied on chatbots for companionship grew lonelier over time, mirroring similar results in another study of young adults. According to Maheux, while AI delivers immediate relief for anxiety, stress, or loneliness, overreliance on the technology may ultimately hinder young people from building the skills to tolerate and handle normal daily stresses.
