Study reveals how children view and use artificial intelligence

Qualitative research interviewed children and teenagers ages 10-18 about their perspectives on and use of artificial intelligence, finding varied responses from skepticism to rejection based on environmental concerns. A February 2026 Pew Research Center survey found that 57% of American teenagers have used chatbots to search for information, 54% to help with schoolwork, and 47% for entertainment, with only 12% using AI for emotional support. The research suggests AI is not yet a primary focus for younger children, with many having their first encounters through parents, schools, or embedded integration in devices they already use.