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What Teens Are Doing With Those Role-Playing Chatbots

AI in Education Editorialβ€’β€’β€’Updated July 16, 2026β€’1 min readβ€’Read source
What Teens Are Doing With Those Role-Playing Chatbots
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Key Takeaways

  • β€’Teens' eclectic engagement with AI chatbots, from confiding in them to playful subversion, signals a critical shift in how students are informally integrating AI into their lives.
  • β€’This broader trend necessitates that educators and institutions develop AI literacy frameworks that acknowledge these diverse use cases, moving beyond purely academic applications to foster responsible, discerning interaction with pervasive AI companions.

You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. What Teens Are Doing With Those Role-Playing Chatbots Harassing bots with β€œfunny violence.” Confiding about a broken heart. Chatting with a block of cheese. Quentin first downloaded a character chatbot when he was 13. He remembers thinking, β€œWow, this is garbage, but fun.” Credit...

Our Take

Teens' eclectic engagement with AI chatbots, from confiding in them to playful subversion, signals a critical shift in how students are informally integrating AI into their lives. This broader trend necessitates that educators and institutions develop AI literacy frameworks that acknowledge these diverse use cases, moving beyond purely academic applications to foster responsible, discerning interaction with pervasive AI companions.

Analysis & Perspectives

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