AI Use Among Teens Shows Sharp Racial and Economic Divides, Pew Study Reveals

[johnblockbuster]

Pew’s latest research finds significant differences in how teens of different backgrounds use AI chatbots. Black and Hispanic teens (68%) are far more likely to use chatbots than white teens (58%). Black teens, in particular, were almost twice as likely to use Gemini or Meta AI compared to white peers.
Internet usage also varies widely: 55% of Black teens and 52% of Hispanic teens say they’re online “almost constantly,” roughly double the rate of white teens. Income plays a role, too — teens in higher-income households are more likely to use ChatGPT, while Character.AI is twice as popular among teens in lower-income homes.
Experts say these patterns mirror broader differences in social media use and access, raising new questions about how AI tools are shaping teen digital life across communities.

[Abdul Khan]

Access to AI tools shouldn’t depend on income or background.

[Rimon Khan]

Digital divides are becoming AI divides—big policy gap here.

[Nahid Hossen]

Without reflection, even great founders drift off-course.