AI Use by Tweens and Teens

 Common Sense Media has embarked on an inaugural study of AI use among America’s tweens and teens. This is the first in a series of studies tracking young people’s experiences with AI over time. In subsequent years, we will engage new cohorts of tweens and teens to understand how their experiences with AI change or remain the same over time. This report considers the knowledge and experience that kids age 9 to 17 have with AI, including how frequently they use it, what they use it for, and what questions and advice they are searching for. Additionally, we explore feelings of loneliness and happiness in the context of frequent AI use and signs of AI dependency. For this generation of tweens and teens, AI use is common and is serving a range of needs, from cognitive to emotional, but may not always be meeting those needs safely or fully. 86% of kids age 9 to 17 have now used AI in some form. Kids are using AI most often for fun and entertainment purposes, followed by school  and homework. Signs of AI dependency are showing up, especially among the most frequent users. Kids who struggle with schoolwork are more likely to use AI frequently. Kids who report feeling lonelier tend to use AI more frequently and use AI more often for social and emotional support. More than 4 in 10 kids are not having AI safety conversations with parents or teachers. Kids are taking personal questions to AI about their health, their futures, and how they feel. One in six kids who have used AI chatbots say an AI has shown or said something they felt “wasn’t OK or wasn’t meant for someone their age”—and most never told a trusted adult about it. Kids age 9 to 17 have mixed feelings about how  AI will affect their life in the next few years and  in adulthood. Most kids overestimate what AI can do, even those who think they know a lot about how it works.  [June 8, 2026]