AI News Monitor

As debates rage over the role of artificial intelligence in education, U.S. teenagers are increasingly turning to ChatGPT to help with their schoolwork. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, 26% of teens aged 13 to 17 now report using the AI chatbot for academic purposes—double the 13% recorded in 2023.

While the majority of teens (73%) say they haven’t used ChatGPT for school-related tasks, its growing popularity spans various demographic groups, with notable differences in usage patterns.

Demographic Trends in ChatGPT Usage

• By Race and Ethnicity:
  Black and Hispanic teens lead the trend, with 31% in each group using ChatGPT for schoolwork, compared to 22% of White teens. This marks a significant shift from 2023, when usage was nearly identical among these groups (11% for White and Hispanic teens, 13% for Black teens).
• By Grade Level:
  Older students are more likely to use ChatGPT. Among high school juniors and seniors, 31% report using the tool, compared to 20% of seventh and eighth graders. About 25% of ninth and tenth graders also use the chatbot, showing no significant difference from the other groups.

Interestingly, ChatGPT usage does not vary significantly by gender or household income.

When Do Teens Think ChatGPT Is Acceptable?

Teens’ attitudes toward using ChatGPT vary depending on the task. While most approve of using the tool for research, fewer support its use for math problems or essay writing.

• Research: 54% of teens believe using ChatGPT for researching new topics is acceptable, with only 9% opposed.
• Math Problems: Opinions are split, with 29% supporting ChatGPT for solving math problems and 28% opposing it.
• Essay Writing: Just 18% say using ChatGPT for writing essays is acceptable, while 42% disapprove.

Many teens remain uncertain about the acceptability of ChatGPT in these contexts, with 15% to 21% unsure across tasks.

Growing Awareness of ChatGPT

Awareness of ChatGPT has surged among teens, with 79% now familiar with the tool, up from 67% in 2023. The share of teens who say they’ve heard “a lot” about ChatGPT also rose, from 23% in 2023 to 32% this year.

Familiarity correlates with usage and acceptance. Among teens who have heard a lot about ChatGPT, 56% use it for schoolwork, and 79% believe it’s acceptable for researching new topics. In contrast, only 18% of teens who have heard little about it use it, and 61% in this group find it acceptable for research.

Awareness Gaps by Demographics

• By Race and Ethnicity:
  White teens (83%) are more likely than Black (73%) and Hispanic teens (74%) to say they’ve heard of ChatGPT.
• By Household Income:
  Awareness is highest among teens from higher-income households, with 84% in households earning $75,000 or more familiar with ChatGPT. Awareness drops to 69% in households earning $30,000 to $75,000 and 67% in those earning less than $30,000.

However, teens from lower-income households showed the largest growth in awareness, jumping from 41% in 2023 to 67% this year.

The Debate Continues

As ChatGPT becomes a more prominent tool for students, the conversation over its place in education is far from settled. With its growing use and acceptance among teens, educators and policymakers face increasing pressure to define the role of AI in the classroom.