Nearly One-Third of U.S. Teens Use AI Chatbots Daily, Pew Finds

The survey is Pew's first to study Ai chatbot use among teens broadly.

Overall Usage Among Teens

The Pew Research Center’s latest online survey of U.S. teens shows that roughly one‑third of respondents report using AI chatbots daily or more often. Nearly half of the teens say they interact with chatbots several times a week, indicating that AI tools have become a regular part of their digital routines.

Top Chatbot Platforms

OpenAI’s ChatGPT dominates the teen market, with a clear majority of users having tried the service. Google’s Gemini and Meta AI follow, each capturing a notable share of teen usage. Smaller shares of teens have experimented with Microsoft Copilot, Character AI, and Anthropic’s Claude.

Comparison with Social Media Habits

When measured against traditional social media, chatbot usage remains lower than the near‑constant engagement reported for platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. Nonetheless, the rise in chatbot interaction marks a significant shift, as these AI services are newer than the established social apps that continue to dominate teen attention.

Safety and Regulatory Scrutiny

The rapid adoption of AI chatbots by minors has attracted regulatory and legal attention. The FTC is investigating major tech firms over the safety policies governing younger users. Additionally, lawsuits allege that interactions with certain chatbots may have contributed to tragic outcomes for some teens, prompting heightened scrutiny of how these companies protect vulnerable users.

Implications for the Future

The findings suggest that AI chatbots are carving out a niche in teen digital life, complementing but not yet supplanting social media. As usage grows, tech companies and regulators will likely face increased pressure to ensure safe, age‑appropriate experiences. Continued monitoring by research organizations like Pew will be essential to track evolving patterns and inform policy responses.