Nearly 30% of U.S. Teens Engage with AI Chatbots Daily Amid Rising Safety Concerns
A recent study from the Pew Research Center has shed light on the increasing use of AI chatbots among American teens, revealing that nearly 30% of adolescents engage with these tools daily. This finding comes at a time when the conversation around teen internet safety is more pressing than ever, particularly as Australia prepares to implement a ban on social media access for users under 16.
The report highlights that 97% of teens access the internet each day, with 40% indicating they are “almost constantly online.” Although this marks a reduction from the previous year’s 46%, it remains a substantial increase compared to a decade ago, when just 24% reported similar online habits.
The report also illustrates that AI chatbots are becoming a significant aspect of teens’ digital experiences. Specifically, 59% of U.S. teens use ChatGPT, outpacing competitors like Google’s Gemini at 23% and Meta AI at 20%. Additionally, 46% of respondents indicated they utilize AI chatbots several times weekly, while a notable 36% do not use them at all.
Demographic trends reveal disparities in usage across racial and economic lines. About 68% of Black and Hispanic teens reported using chatbots, compared to 58% of their white peers. Furthermore, older teens (ages 15 to 17) show higher engagement rates than younger teens (ages 13 to 14). Household income also plays a role, with 62% of teens from families earning over $75,000 annually using ChatGPT, compared to 52% of those from lower-income households.
While these chatbots can aid with inquiries or homework assistance, there are concerns regarding their potentially addictive nature. Families of two teens, Adam Raine and Amaurie Lacey, have initiated lawsuits against OpenAI following tragic incidents linked to the use of ChatGPT, claiming the chatbot provided harmful suggestions. OpenAI maintains it cannot be held liable as users allegedly bypassed safety protocols.
Further scrutiny has emerged around Character.AI, a platform designed for AI role-playing, particularly after connecting incidents of teen suicides to prolonged engagements with its chatbots. In response, Character.AI has ceased offering its services to minors and introduced a new product aimed at younger users that focuses on interactive storytelling.
Though the experiences mentioned in these lawsuits represent a minor fraction of all chatbot interactions, they underscore an urgent need for ongoing discussions about the implications of AI on youth mental health. According to OpenAI, only 0.15% of ChatGPT’s users engage in conversations about suicide weekly—a figure that, while small, equates to over one million users out of 800 million weekly active participants.
As the role of AI chatbots continues to expand in teenage life, addressing safety concerns and ensuring responsible usage remains paramount.
