Exploring Teens' Use of AI Chatbots: Insights and Perceptions
A significant number of American teenagers are utilizing AI chatbots, with a notable portion engaging with them on a daily basis. These chatbots, such as ChatGPT, Copilot, and Character.ai, serve various purposes for teens, with information seeking and schoolwork assistance being the most common uses. Additionally, a considerable number of teens use chatbots for summarizing articles, books, or videos, creating or editing images or videos, and accessing news.
While concerns have been raised about teens using chatbots for companionship, the majority of teens primarily use them for academic and informational purposes. Some teens do engage in more personal interactions with chatbots, such as casual conversations or seeking emotional support or advice, but these activities are not as prevalent among the surveyed teens.
The survey also delves into how AI is integrated into schools and how teens perceive its impact. Many teens find chatbots helpful for schoolwork, with a significant percentage reporting that these tools have been extremely or very helpful in completing assignments. However, there are concerns about the use of AI for cheating in schools, with a majority of teens believing that using AI to cheat is a common occurrence among students.
Teens generally view the impact of AI on their personal lives more positively than negatively, but they are more critical of its broader societal impact. While a significant percentage of teens believe AI will have a positive effect on them personally, a higher percentage express concerns about its impact on society. The survey also highlights teens' perceptions of AI's capabilities compared to humans across various tasks, with skepticism particularly prevalent in areas like hiring decisions.
Overall, the survey sheds light on teens' experiences with AI chatbots, their perceptions of AI's impact, and their confidence in using these tools. As AI continues to play a significant role in various aspects of their lives, understanding teens' interactions with and attitudes towards AI is crucial for educators, parents, and policymakers.