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How Teens Use and View AI

Nationally representative survey of 1,458 US teens (13-17) and their parents on awareness, use, and attitudes toward AI, including chatbot use for conversation and emotional support. Reports adoption patterns and parental comfort levels across use cases.

Publisher

Pew Research Center

Published

24 Feb 2026

Added

3 months ago

DOI

—

Key Findings

  • 16% of teens have used chatbots for casual conversation; 12% for emotional support or advice (21% among Black teens)
  • Only 18% of parents are comfortable with their teen getting emotional support from a chatbot — the sole use a majority of parents reject
  • Majorities of teens report not using chatbots for companionship or emotional support

Methodology Notes

Survey report (published 24 February 2026). n=1,458 US teens 13-17 plus a parent, fielded 25 Sept-9 Oct 2025, margin of error +/-3.3pp. Part of a multi-page Pew series (parent and demographic companion pages listed as additional sources).

Tags

pewteenssurveyadoptionemotional-support

Cite This

APA

Pew Research Center. (2026). How Teens Use and View AI. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2026/02/24/how-teens-use-and-view-ai/

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