Nearly Two-Thirds of American Teens and Tweens Use AI Chatbots, Surveys Find
By Emma Carter
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Intro
Artificial intelligence chatbots are becoming a regular feature of life for many American children and teenagers. Two surveys indicate that young people are using the technology not only to complete school-related tasks, but also to manage stress and seek companionship.
Vocabulary
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| routine adjective | adjective | Meaning: regular and customary rather than unusual or occasional | Example: Checking the dashboard became a routine part of the manager’s morning. |
| companionship noun | noun | Meaning: the state of having someone or something provide company and emotional connection | Example: For people living alone, pets can provide valuable companionship. |
| minimum adjective | adjective | Meaning: the smallest amount, number, or level permitted or required | Example: Applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements before being considered. |
| integrated adjective | adjective | Meaning: fully incorporated into a larger system or pattern | Example: The new platform is integrated with the company’s existing payment system. |
| prioritize verb | verb | Meaning: to arrange tasks or concerns according to their relative importance | Example: Effective leaders prioritize urgent problems without neglecting long-term goals. |
| associated adjective | adjective | Meaning: connected with something in a way that suggests a relationship | Example: The medication is associated with several mild side effects. |
| distress noun | noun | Meaning: severe emotional suffering or strain | Example: The organization offers confidential support to employees experiencing distress. |
The story
Artificial intelligence chatbots are becoming a routine part of life for many American children and teenagers, according to two new surveys. The technology is used for practical purposes, such as schoolwork, but also for companionship and emotional support when young people feel stressed, lonely, anxious, or overwhelmed.
One survey by Common Sense Media suggests that chatbot use begins well before children reach the minimum age of 13 set by most popular services. Nearly half of 9-to-12-year-olds surveyed had used an AI chatbot or companion. By age 13, nearly three-quarters had used chatbots.
A separate survey by the JED Foundation found that 90 percent of 5,500 students aged 9 to 17 had used an AI chatbot. Nearly two-thirds said they used the technology both for schoolwork and as a companion or source of support during difficult moments.
The results reflect how quickly artificial intelligence has become integrated into young people's daily routines. Developmental psychologist Anne Maheux of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, who was not involved in the surveys, said the findings were striking because chatbot use appears to have expanded dramatically within only a few years. She noted that young people now seem almost as likely to use the technology for emotional support as for homework.
Some students describe chatbots as organizational and educational tools. A 17-year-old said she used one to prioritize tasks when overwhelmed and to obtain feedback on essays. A 15-year-old said he used chatbots to generate practice questions that he could answer independently.
The surveys also examined well-being and mental-health indicators. Certain uses, particularly reliance on chatbots for companionship or to address emotional and cognitive problems, were associated with poorer symptoms. However, psychologist Kayla Anderson of the JED Foundation cautioned that the data cannot show whether chatbot use contributes to distress or whether young people already experiencing distress are more likely to seek help from AI. Researchers say the relationship may ultimately operate in both directions.
Warm-up questions
- What kinds of tasks might young people ask an AI chatbot to perform?
- When might technology provide useful support, and when might it become problematic?
Comprehension questions
- What practical and emotional purposes do young people use chatbots for?
- How does chatbot use differ between the younger and older children surveyed by Common Sense Media?
- What proportion of JED Foundation respondents had used an AI chatbot?
- Why did Anne Maheux find the survey results striking?
- What limitation did Kayla Anderson identify in the mental-health findings?
Opinion questions
- Should AI chatbots be permitted in schools for emotional support, or should their role remain strictly educational?
- Do the potential benefits of chatbot companionship outweigh the risks for adolescents?
Further discussion
- What safeguards could help distinguish constructive educational use from unhealthy emotional dependence on chatbots?
- How should researchers investigate the possibility that chatbot use and distress reinforce each other?
Writing prompt
- Write a balanced article assessing whether AI chatbots are becoming beneficial tools or risky companions for young people.
