Teens, Social Media, and AI Chatbots: A 2025 Perspective
The Pew Research Center conducted an extensive study to explore the evolving relationship between teens, social media, and AI chatbots. The survey, spanning from September 25 to October 9, 2025, involved 1,458 U.S. teens aged 13 to 17, providing valuable insights into their digital habits.
How the Study was Conducted
The survey was conducted online through Ipsos, a trusted research partner. Ipsos recruited teens via their parents, who were part of the KnowledgePanel, a probability-based web panel. The survey was carefully designed to be representative of U.S. teens by age, gender, race and ethnicity, household income, and other demographics. The questions and methodology are available for transparency and further analysis.
Social Media Dominance
Social media remains a central part of teens' lives, despite mixed feelings about its impact. Many teens use these platforms 'almost constantly,' with TikTok and YouTube leading the way. YouTube, in particular, is a daily staple for most teens, with 75% reporting daily usage.
AI Chatbots Gaining Ground
AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT and Character.ai, are now capturing teens' attention. A significant 64% of teens report using chatbots, with 30% using them daily. This shift towards AI assistants is a notable trend in the digital landscape.
Platform Usage by the Numbers
Teens gravitate towards various platforms, but YouTube stands out as the most popular. Nearly 90% of teens have used YouTube, followed by TikTok and Instagram, with over 60% and 50% usage, respectively. Snapchat and Facebook have slightly lower adoption rates, while WhatsApp and Reddit are used by a smaller percentage.
Demographic Differences
The study reveals interesting variations in platform usage across different demographics:
- Gender: Teen girls are more likely to use Snapchat and Instagram, while boys prefer Reddit and YouTube.
- Race and Ethnicity: Black teens are more likely to use Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, and YouTube, with a notable 82% using Instagram. Hispanic teens also show higher usage of WhatsApp.
- Age: Older teens (15-17) tend to use more platforms, with Instagram being a favorite. YouTube is the only site used equally by older and younger teens.
- Household Income: Lower and middle-income teens are more likely to use TikTok and Facebook, while higher-income teens lean towards ChatGPT.
- Political Affiliation: Democratic teens show higher usage of TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and YouTube compared to Republicans.
Daily Habits and Trends
The survey highlights daily usage patterns:
- YouTube leads in daily usage, with 75% of teens visiting it daily.
- TikTok and Instagram follow closely, with 61% and 55% daily users, respectively.
- Snapchat and Facebook have lower daily usage, with 46% and 20% of teens visiting these platforms daily.
AI Chatbot Adoption
AI chatbots are becoming increasingly common, with 64% of teens reporting usage. ChatGPT is the most popular chatbot, used by 59% of teens, followed by Gemini and Meta AI.
Internet Usage Insights
The survey also explores internet usage, with 97% of teens reporting daily internet access. Interestingly, 40% of teens are 'almost constantly' online, a significant increase from a decade ago.
Conclusion
This study provides a comprehensive snapshot of teens' digital lives, revealing both stability and change in their online habits. As AI chatbots and social media continue to evolve, understanding these trends is crucial for parents, educators, and policymakers to support teens' digital well-being.
