Teens Tap AI Chatbots for Schoolwork, Entertainment, and Personal Use while Weighing Risks

A Pew Research Center survey of 1,458 U.S. teens (and parents) finds most teens have heard of and use AI chatbots, with 57% using them to search for information, 54% for schoolwork help, and 47% for fun; about 16% chat casually and 12% seek emotional support, while 10% do all or most schoolwork with chatbot help. About 59% say AI-enabled cheating is a regular occurrence at their school. Teens view AI’s impact as more positive for themselves (36% positive, 15% negative) than for society (31% positive, 26% negative). Parents’ reports lag teens’ use (roughly 50% of parents say their teen uses chatbots vs. 64% of teens). Confidence in using chatbots varies, with about a quarter very/extremely confident and roughly 30% somewhat confident.