Teens Using ChatGPT for Schoolwork: Trends & Concerns

Gen Z's Increasing Reliance on ChatGPT for Schoolwork

A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center indicates that younger members of Generation Z are increasingly utilizing OpenAI’s ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot, to assist with their academic assignments.

Growing Adoption of AI in Education

Pew’s follow-up to their 2023 study on ChatGPT usage among young individuals reveals a significant rise in adoption. Approximately 1,400 U.S. teens, aged 13 to 17, were surveyed regarding their use of ChatGPT for homework and other school-related tasks.

The results show that 26% of teens reported using the tool, a figure that has doubled since two years prior.

Acceptability of AI Assistance

The survey also explored teens’ perceptions of the appropriateness of using ChatGPT for different academic purposes. Over half (54%) believe it is acceptable for researching new topics.

Acceptance was also noted for specific tasks:

• 29% found it acceptable for solving math problems.
• 18% considered it acceptable for writing essays.

Potential Concerns and Limitations

Given the inherent limitations of ChatGPT, these findings may raise concerns. The AI is not consistently accurate and can produce unreliable information.

Recent research demonstrates that ChatGPT struggles with mathematical calculations and factual accuracy. A study evaluating the performance of leading AI models on a doctorate-level history exam revealed that GPT-4o, the model powering ChatGPT, only marginally outperformed random guessing.

Disparities in Usage and Weaknesses of the AI

The same study highlighted ChatGPT’s weaknesses in areas such as social mobility and the geopolitics of Sub-Saharan Africa. This is particularly relevant as Pew’s poll indicates that Black and Hispanic teens are more likely to utilize ChatGPT for schoolwork compared to their white peers.

Conflicting Research on Pedagogical Impact

The impact of ChatGPT on learning remains a subject of debate. Research findings are mixed.

For example, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that Turkish high school students with access to ChatGPT performed worse on a math test than those without access.

Conversely, a separate study observed that German students using ChatGPT were able to locate research materials more efficiently, but demonstrated less skill in synthesizing that information compared to their peers who did not use the AI tool.

Educator Perspectives on AI in the Classroom

A Pew poll conducted last year revealed that a quarter of public K-12 teachers believe that the use of AI tools like ChatGPT in education is more detrimental than beneficial.

However, a survey by the Rand Corporation and the Center on Reinventing Public Education found that only 18% of K-12 educators currently incorporate AI into their classrooms.