Parents in higher-income households are more open to their teen using AI for searching for information or for fun, but pattern is reversed for emotional support | Pew Research Center

February 17, 2026

What parents say about their teen’s AI use

Parents in higher-income households are more open to their teen using AI for searching for information or for fun, but pattern is reversed for emotional support

Parents in higher-income households are more open to their teen using AI for searching for information or for fun, but pattern is reversed for emotional support

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Parents in higher-income households are more open to their teen using AI for searching for information or for fun, but pattern is reversed for emotional support

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What parents say about their teen’s AI use
About half of parents say their teen uses chatbots, but some are unsure
About 4 in 10 parents have never talked to their teen about chatbots
Parents are mostly OK with teens using chatbots for information or fun, but not for emotional support or casual chatting
Parents in higher-income households are more open to their teen using AI for searching for information or for fun, but pattern is reversed for emotional support
Talking to your teen about chatbots is more common among parents with higher incomes