AI USE AMONG KIDS & TEENAGERS

2025–2026 DATA

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77%

TEENS (AGES 13–17)

77%
of teens (13–17)
use AI chatbots!

50%

KIDS (AGES 8–17)

Around 50%
of kids (8–17)
use AI tools
for learning!

› The last 10 years (2016–2026): A major shift

Over the last 10 years, the way kids use AI has shifted from passive interaction with algorithms to active engagement with generative AI, with usage increasing significantly since 2023.

2016–2018

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Passive Consumption

Kids interact with recommendations and simple algorithms.

2019–2021

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Interactive Engagement

More personalized experiences and basic AI features.

2022–2023

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Early Generative AI

Introduction of generative AI tools; creativity and exploration begin.

2024–2026

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Active Creation & Collaboration

Kids actively create, learn, and solve problems with generative AI.

INTRO

Based on data from 2025–2026, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) among kids and teenagers has surged, with roughly 64% to 77% of teens (ages 13–17) using AI chatbots, and around 50% of kids aged 8–17 using AI tools for learning.Over the last 10 years (2016–2026), this usage has shifted from passive interaction with algorithms to active engagement with generative AI, with usage increasing significantly since 2023.

Rapid Adoption (2023–2026)

The percentage of young people (13-18) using generative AI skyrocketed from 37% in 2023 to 77% in 2024.

Daily Usage

By early 2026, nearly 30% of teenagers reported using AI "almost constantly".

Primary Uses

Teens primarily use AI for schoolwork/homework (53%), searching for information (59%), and for creative or personal tasks (34%).

Age and Access

In the EU, 64% of young people (16-24) used generative AI in 2025, with usage peaking at 83.5% in some nations. Among younger users (8-12), nearly half (47%) use AI for homework.

Robotics Integration

By 2023, over 70% of K-12 schools in North America reported increased robotics adoption for STEM.

A 2025 study

A 2025 study highlighted that 22% of kids (ages 8–12) were already using generative AI, with usage higher among females (24%) than males (19%).

School type

Usage is strongly influenced by school type, with 52% of private school students reporting usage compared to 18% in state schools.

Homework Help

54% of young people in the UK use AI to help with homework or studying.

Creative Tools

34% of young people use AI to create or edit music, videos, or pictures.

Emotional Support

Almost 17% of young people use AI for advice or companionship, and 12% for friendship.

Inequality

There is a digital divide, with 75% of kids from high-income (AB) households aware of algorithms, compared to only about 60% of lower-income (C1/C2/DE) households.

INTRO

Data from the past 10 years indicates a significant decline in kids's unstructured outdoor play, with some studies showing kids spend 35% less time outdoors than their parents. While over 80% of kids show high engagement with nature when prompted, only roughly 14%–21% regularly play outdoors daily, with many preferring in-person friends over screen time.

Daily Outdoor Time

A 2018 Dutch study found only 14% of kids play outside every day, down from 20% five years prior. Other reports indicate only 21% of kids regularly play outside.

Declining Access

Children's "roaming radius" from home has shrunk by 90% over the last 30 years, significantly reducing opportunities for independent exploration.

Modern Trends

Despite low daily rates, over half of kids (54%) in some areas participate in nature-related outdoor recreation at least once, according to a 2022 trends report.

Barriers

Increased screen time, safety concerns, and reduced access to natural spaces have resulted in a "nature deficit," with up to 34% of kids not playing outside on school days.

Engagement Levels

However, 87% of kids surveyed reported that being in nature makes them happy, showing high demand for, rather than lack of interest in, these activities.

Income Differences

Children in low-income households are significantly less likely to have high nature connectivity, with 36% in this demographic reporting low interaction with nature, compared to 14% for higher-income households.

Positive Trends

While overall time is down, some studies (2022–2025) note that kids who do go out are visiting a greater variety of natural places