Report / primary research

AI Use by Tweens and Teens 2026

A national study examines youth AI use, trust, disclosure, and adult guidance.

Publication details

Author and publication date

  • Published

Research context

Population and methodology

  • Population Tweens and teens; ages Tweens and teens; the news release does not list exact ages.; United States.
  • Methodology National study reported by Common Sense Media.
  • Fieldwork The public report does not report a fieldwork window; treat it as an undated national study reported by common sense media. snapshot.

How to use this source

Evidence strength

Limitations The release summarizes findings; use the full report for exact question wording.

Trace the claim

Extracted evidence

findingself-reported

More than four in ten children said no parent or guardian had ever discussed AI safety with them.

Locator Opening findings paragraph, parent-guidance metric.

Scope Tweens and teens; Tweens and teens; the news release does not list exact ages.; United States; The public report does not report a fieldwork window; treat it as an undated national study reported by common sense media. snapshot..

Limitations The release summarizes findings; use the full report for exact question wording.

findingself-reported

More than eight in ten AI users used it for entertainment and homework help; over half of children struggling to focus used AI for schoolwork weekly.

Locator Opening findings and key findings section, schoolwork paragraphs.

Scope Tweens and teens; Tweens and teens; the news release does not list exact ages.; United States; The public report does not report a fieldwork window; treat it as an undated national study reported by common sense media. snapshot..

Limitations The release summarizes findings; use the full report for exact question wording.

findingself-reported

More than four in ten had never discussed AI safety with a parent, and only just over half had been taught safe AI use at school.

Locator Opening findings and key findings section, safety-guidance paragraphs.

Scope Tweens and teens; Tweens and teens; the news release does not list exact ages.; United States; The public report does not report a fieldwork window; treat it as an undated national study reported by common sense media. snapshot..

Limitations The release summarizes findings; use the full report for exact question wording.

findingself-reported

Only one-third of children knew that AI cannot reliably distinguish fact from fiction.

Locator Key findings section, AI capability literacy paragraph.

Scope Tweens and teens; Tweens and teens; the news release does not list exact ages.; United States; The public report does not report a fieldwork window; treat it as an undated national study reported by common sense media. snapshot..

Limitations The release summarizes findings; use the full report for exact question wording.

Connected conclusions

Themes

Time & RoutinesLearning & Becoming

Related insights

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