Teen and Young Adult Perspectives on Generative AI - Patterns of Use, Excitements, and Concerns

Oct 17, 2026

Uploaded by Muffet

Teen and young adult perspectives on generative AI examine how young people use these tools, what draws them in, and what worries them. The report frames generative AI as a system that creates images, sounds, and text in response to prompts, while highlighting risks tied to privacy, equity, and accuracy. Findings draw mainly from a national survey on digital technology and youth mental health, including open-ended responses shaped through interviews, focus groups, and item testing.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages35

Reading Time1 h 28 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Summary of Methodology

Key Findings

Generative AI Use

Reasons for Using Generative AI

Reasons for Not Using Generative AI

Perceptions of the Future of Generative AI

Excitements about Generative AI

Concerns about Generative AI

What Teens Say Adults Should Know About Their Uses of AI

Conclusion

Appendix

Teen and Young Adult Perspectiveson Generative AI Patterns of use, excitements, and concerns TEEN AND YOUNG ADULT PERSPECTIVES ON GENERATIVE AI ~~ ~~ 2 Table of Contents Introduction ................................................. 3 Summary of Methodology ...................................... 4 Key Findings ................................................. 5 Generative AI Use .............................................12 Reasons for Using Generative AI .................................14 Reasons for Not Using Generative AI .............................16 Perceptions of the Future of Generative AI ........................18 Excitements about Generative AI ................................ 21 Concerns about Generative AI ................................. 23 What Teens Say Adults Should Know About Their Uses of AI .......25 Conclusion .................................................. 30 Appendix ................................................... 34 TEEN AND YOUNG ADULT PERSPECTIVES ON GENERATIVE AI ~~ ~~ 3 Introduction Generative artificial intelligence (AI)1 has quickly become an integral part of the digital landscape, shaping how individuals interact with technology and creating new opportunities for creativity and innovation. At the same time, generative AI brings real and unknown risks, including those related to privacy, equity, and accuracy. Of particular importance is its influence on young people, who not only serve as early adopters and influencers in the digital realm but also stand at the forefront of grappling with its implications . Understanding young people’s perspectives on generative AI is paramount, especially considering ongoing apprehensions about the effects of digital technologies on youth mental health .2 As generative AI becomes more integrated into daily life across different domains, including jobs, schools, and social interactions, there is a need to delve deeper into its use among young people to guide practice and policy-making decisions and foster amore informed dialogue on its utilization. By examining their reasons for using or not using generative AI tools, we can uncover underlying motivations and concerns influencing youth engagement with this technology. Moreover, analyzing generative AI use by race/ethnicity, age, gender, and LGBTQ+ identity3 allows a nuanced understanding of how different demographic groups currently perceive and interact with generative AI technology . Findings in this report primarily come from a larger national survey of digital technology and youth mental health4 (Common Sense Media & Hopelab, 2024) . This study centered young people in the creation of survey topics and questions, as well asthe interpretation of results. The questions in the Appendix, including content and specific wording, were developed through interviews, focus groups, and item testing with young people . This report examines differences in experiencesand perceptions of generative AI across racial and ethnic groups, between teens (ages 14-17) and young adults (ages 18-22), and across LGBTQ+ and gender identities. We also utilized open-ended questions to provide more detailed context about generative AI use, concerns, and excitement among young people. Additionally, since teens’ use of AI5 might be more heavily monitored or influenced by parents and other adults, we included data from a separate survey (Center for Digital Thriving & Common Sense Media, forthcoming) that contained an open-ended question asking teens (ages 13-17) to describe one thing they wanted adults to know about how teens use AI. 1 Generative AI was framed to the young people in this report as,“a type of artificial intelligence (AI) system that can generate original images, sounds, and text—including artwork, music, and stories—in response to your prompts.” 2 Odgers, C. L., & Jensen, M. R. (2020) . Annual research review: Adolescent mental health in the digital age:

FAQs

What risks does the report highlight about generative AI for young people?

The report emphasizes risks related to privacy, equity, and accuracy, alongside broader concerns about effects on youth mental health.

How does the report obtain its findings?

Most findings come from a larger national survey of digital technology and youth mental health, with survey topics and interpretations developed with young people and supported by interviews, focus groups, and item testing.

Does the report analyze differences across demographic groups?

Yes. It examines experiences and perceptions across racial and ethnic groups, between teens (ages 14–17) and young adults (ages 18–22), and across LGBTQ+ and gender identities, including open-ended questions for richer context.

Oct 17, 2026

Uploaded by Muffet