TRACKER: How the AI Industry’s Race To Dominance Has Harmed Children
March 23, 2026
In February 2026, the Pew Research Center asked America’s teens about their AI usage, and the findings caused concern amongst developmental psychologists.
Over 60% of teens say they have used chatbots like ChatGPT, with roughly three-in-ten reporting daily use. Rather predictably, the most common uses are for entertainment or schoolwork. But the Pew survey also quantified another phenomenon: “16% of teens say they have used chatbots to have casual conversations, and 12% say they’ve used these tools to get emotional support or advice.”
