Teens, Social Media, and AI Chatbots: A 2025 Perspective

In a recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center, the online habits of U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 were examined. This survey, conducted from September 25 to October 9, 2025, involved 1,458 participants recruited through Ipsos’ KnowledgePanel. The findings shed light on how teens engage with social media platforms and AI chatbots.

Teens and Social Media: Key Insights

Social media is an integral part of adolescents’ lives, despite mixed feelings about its effects. Approximately 66% of teens reported using AI chatbots, with 30% engaging with them daily. The landscape of social media usage reveals several preferences among teens for specific platforms.

Popular Platforms

• YouTube: Nearly 90% of teens have used this platform.
• TikTok and Instagram: Roughly 60% of participants have engaged with each.
• Snapchat: 55% of teens utilize this platform.
• Facebook: Usage has declined to 31%.
• WhatsApp: 24% of teens report using it, a growth from 17% in 2022.

Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit see lower engagement rates, with around 20% or less of teens actively using them.

Trends in Social Media Usage

The study revealed a pattern of stability alongside emerging trends in teenagers’ social media habits. For instance, the decline in Facebook usage has been notable over the past decade. In contrast, WhatsApp and TikTok are on the rise, with TikTok’s usage almost constant among 21% of teens, compared to 16% in the previous year.

Demographic Differences in Platform Usage

Exploring the demographic variances in social media usage, several trends became apparent:

• By Gender: Girls are more likely to use Snapchat and Instagram.
• By Race and Ethnicity: Black teens show higher engagement on Instagram and TikTok compared to their White or Hispanic peers.
• By Age: Older teens (15-17 years) are more active on platforms like Instagram than younger teens.
• By Household Income: Teens from lower income households more frequently utilize platforms like TikTok and Facebook.

AI Chatbots: Growing Popularity Among Teens

AI chatbots are increasingly popular among U.S. teens. Approximately 64% report having used an AI chatbot at least once. Specifically, ChatGPT emerges as the prevalent choice, with a usage rate of 59%, making it significantly more popular than other chatbots like Gemini and Meta AI.

Demographic Insights on AI Chatbot Usage

• By Race and Ethnicity: Higher usage rates are noted among Black and Hispanic teens.
• By Age: Older teens display a greater propensity for daily chatbot interactions.
• By Income: Teens from households earning $75,000 or more are inclined to use ChatGPT more frequently than those in lower income brackets.

Internet Use Among Teens

The survey also revealed that nearly all teens (97%) use the internet daily. Notably, 40% claim to be online almost constantly. This increase in constant online presence has grown significantly over the past decade, indicating a shift in how teens access and utilize online resources.

Demographic Variances in Internet Use

• By Race and Ethnicity: Black and Hispanic teens are more likely to be online almost constantly than their White counterparts.
• By Age: Older teens report higher levels of constant internet usage compared to younger ones.
• By Household Income: Increased constant internet use is observed among lower-income teen households.

In summary, the 2025 perspective on teens, social media, and AI chatbots indicates evolving preferences and behaviors shaped by demographic factors. Understanding these trends can inform parents, educators, and policymakers in navigating the digital landscape that young people inhabit.