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Recent surveys reveal a major disconnect between how parents think their children use artificial intelligence and what teenagers are actually doing with it—from homework to emotional support.

AI plays a significant role in the life of Isis Joseph, a 17-year-old student in New York City. She uses it daily for schoolwork, to decide where to eat, and even to spark ideas for her poetry. At times, she also turns to AI for advice about personal issues.

While she understands why some parents see AI as a threat, she believes it is mostly beneficial when used responsibly.

Joseph’s experience reflects a broader trend. Studies from the Pew Research Center and Common Sense Media show a wide gap between parents’ perceptions and teenagers’ real use of AI. More strikingly, many parents have little to no idea how their children are actually using these tools.

This highlights a clear issue: families are not talking enough about AI. According to Pew, 40% of parents have never discussed AI with their children. Researchers say this lack of communication leaves teens to explore the technology on their own, without guidance.

When parents were asked if their children use AI, only 51% said yes. In contrast, 64% of teenagers reported using AI chatbots. This suggests millions of parents are unaware of what happens on their children’s screens.

Experts argue that families should approach AI together, rather than leaving teenagers to figure it out alone.

Emotional Support and Social Use

One of the most surprising findings is how some teens use AI for emotional support. While 58% of parents said they are uncomfortable with this idea, it is already happening.

Some teenagers use AI to talk through their feelings or get advice about difficult situations. Although many understand that AI is not human and treat its responses cautiously, there are concerns about overreliance.

A small but significant number of teens—12%—say they use AI for emotional support, and 16% use it for casual conversation. While these percentages may seem low, they represent millions of young users.

Researchers also found differences across demographic groups, with some teens more likely than others to turn to AI for support. However, the reasons behind these differences are still unclear.

Experts suggest that teens with fewer support systems may rely more on AI because it is always available and easy to access. Still, they warn that AI should not replace real human relationships.

Schoolwork, Cheating, and Entertainment

The most common uses of AI among teens are more expected. Many use it to look up information, study, or get help with homework—especially in subjects like math and writing. Some teachers even encourage its use, as long as it supports learning rather than replacing it.

However, concerns about cheating remain. While few teens admit to using AI dishonestly themselves, 59% say students at their school use AI to cheat, and 34% say it happens frequently.

At the same time, AI is also used for fun. Nearly half of teens say they use it for entertainment, such as generating images or experimenting with creative ideas.

A Generational Divide

Perhaps the biggest difference lies in attitudes toward AI. According to Common Sense Media, 52% of parents believe using AI in schoolwork is unethical. Meanwhile, the same percentage of teens see it as innovative and worth encouraging.

Teens also appear more confident in using AI. Most say they can tell whether they are interacting with a human or a machine, and many feel comfortable navigating AI tools.

Unlike many adults, teenagers tend to be more optimistic about AI’s future impact. Over a third believe it will have a positive effect on their lives, while only a small percentage expect negative outcomes.

The Need for Conversation

Experts agree that parents don’t need to fully understand AI to guide their children—but they do need to start talking about it.

Simply asking teens to explain how they use AI can open the door to better understanding and healthier use. At the very least, it’s a starting point for an important conversation in a rapidly changing digital world.