TL;DR
A new Pew survey finds most U.S. teens use AI chatbots for schoolwork and support, while many parents underestimate how often and why they log on.
Why This Matters
Artificial intelligence tools, including chatbots, are quickly becoming a routine part of teenagers’ lives at home and in the classroom. The latest update from the Pew Research Center suggests many parents are not fully aware of how often or in what ways their children are using these tools. That gap in understanding may make it harder for families to set clear rules, protect mental health, and support learning.
As schools debate how to handle AI for homework and tests, and as health experts watch for links between heavy technology use and teen well-being, this new data offers an early snapshot of what teens are actually doing online. It shows AI is being used not only for math help and research, but also, for a smaller group, as a source of emotional support. For readers, especially parents and grandparents, the findings highlight why open conversations at home may matter as much as new rules in schools or legislation in Washington.
Key Facts & Quotes
Pew Research Center surveyed 1,458 U.S. teenagers, along with one parent or guardian for each, between Sept. 25 and Oct. 9, 2025. About 64% of teens said they have used AI chatbots, while only 51% of parents believed their teen uses them, revealing a notable perception gap.
Just over half of teens surveyed (54%) reported turning to chatbots for schoolwork. Roughly one in 10 said they had sought emotional support from a chatbot. Overall, teens were more likely to say AI will have a positive rather than a negative effect on their own lives.
“Technology is not just a teen issue or a parent issue – it’s a family issue,” said Colleen McClain, a senior researcher at Pew, describing how parents and teens often offered different views on managing AI use. Around 12% of teens said they had received emotional support from chatbots.
Dr. Amber W. Childs, an associate professor of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, told a national news program the key question is not whether teens are using AI, but how. She warned that relying on chatbots as a sole source of emotional support is concerning, and urged parents to “get curious” and “communicate to connect.”
Psychologist Joshua Goodman of Southern Oregon University noted some teens who are uncomfortable discussing sexuality or identity with adults may feel safer asking sensitive questions through chatbots. He said that, by itself, is not necessarily harmful, but adults should still watch for warning signs such as withdrawal, persistent low mood or AI use replacing critical thinking.
About a quarter of teens said chatbots are extremely or very helpful for schoolwork, and another quarter said they are somewhat helpful. Most who use them for school rely on them for research or help with math problems. Nearly half of teens reported using chatbots for entertainment, while more than half have used them to look up information.
What It Means for You
For parents and caregivers, the survey underscores that teens may be using AI more often, and for more reasons, than adults realize. Many are leaning on chatbots for homework help and everyday questions, and a smaller share are turning to them for emotional support or sensitive topics they hesitate to raise at home.
Experts suggest that rather than focusing only on bans or strict limits, families can benefit from open, ongoing conversations. Asking teens what they are using, how it helps, and what feels confusing or unsettling can reveal both risks and opportunities. Setting clear expectations – for instance, that chatbots are a starting point for research, not a replacement for thinking or human connection – may help.
Looking ahead, watch for schools updating homework policies, new parental controls built into apps and devices, and more guidance from pediatric and mental health groups about healthy AI use. In many homes, this will become another long-running family conversation, like social media and screen time.
What conversations, if any, are you having at home about how much your family should rely on AI tools for schoolwork and emotional support?
Sources: Pew Research Center, “Teens, Parents and AI Chatbots,” survey of 1,458 U.S. teens and their parents, conducted Sept. 25-Oct. 9, 2025; findings released Feb. 24, 2026; Interview remarks from Colleen McClain, Dr. Amber W. Childs (Yale School of Medicine), and Dr. Joshua Goodman (Southern Oregon University), as reported in a national U.S. broadcast news segment on Feb. 24, 2026.
