Two in Three Teens Now Rely on AI Chatbots for School and Emotional Support

90 percent of American students aged 9 to 17 have used an AI chatbot, according to a new survey conducted by the JED Foundation.

The study, which polled 5,500 students in schools across the country, found that nearly two-thirds of these young people use the technology for both academic tasks and personal support. The data shows that students turn to chatbots when they feel stressed, lonely, anxious, or overwhelmed. This dual usage marks a sharp shift in how youth interact with artificial intelligence tools.

A second survey by Common Sense Media indicates that AI use begins before the minimum age requirements set by major platforms. The group found that nearly half of 9-to-12-year-olds have already used an AI chatbot or companion. By age 13, that figure rises to nearly three-quarters. These findings suggest that the demographic is adopting the technology well before companies like OpenAI and Google typically deem users old enough for full access.

Students describe the technology as a practical tool for managing workload and academic pressure. Arjun Sharda, 15, of Round Rock, Texas, uses both ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. He uses the tools to generate sample test questions for chemistry concepts like moles and conversions. McKenzie Craig, 17, of Raynham, Massachusetts, uses chatbots to prioritize tasks when she is overwhelmed. She also runs essays through Grammarly or ChatGPT to receive feedback before finalizing her work.

However, the same JED Foundation survey linked specific AI usage patterns to worse mental health outcomes. Kayla Anderson, vice president of research and evaluation at the JED Foundation, noted that students in emotional distress were more likely to report poor well-being and a history of suicidal ideation or attempts. Anderson stated that the data does not prove that AI causes poor mental health. It also does not prove that students with pre-existing distress simply seek out AI. The relationship remains complex and open to interpretation.

Anne Maheux, a developmental psychologist at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, observed that AI use has changed dramatically in a short period. She noted that the number of kids using AI for homework is now roughly equal to the number using it for emotional support. Her team is studying this dynamic in middle schoolers and young adults. Preliminary data from a soon-to-be-published study suggests that students who use chatbots for companionship became lonelier over time.

Maheux suggests that AI may provide immediate relief from stress but prevent young people from developing skills to tolerate normal daily pressures. This dynamic could lead to worse mental health outcomes in the long run. The research points to a potential cycle where reliance on the technology exacerbates the very challenges it is meant to address.