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Teens are increasingly using ChatGPT for school assignments, raising questions about the educational impact and reliability of the tool. Although useful for some tasks, the technology has significant limitations that undermine its effectiveness in school settings.

Key points:

• Growing use: 26% of adolescents say they use ChatGPT for homework, doubling the figure from two years ago.
• Acceptable uses: more than half of respondents use it for research, but less for math (29%) or essays (18%).
• Accuracy problems: ChatGPT shows weaknesses in critical academic areas such as math and geopolitics.
• Controversial educational effects: studies show that the use of ChatGPT can hinder synthesis and problem-solving skills.

The use of ChatGPT, the popular AI-based chatbot developed by OpenAI, is spreading rapidly among adolescents, especially as support for schoolwork. A Pew Research Center survey of 1,400 U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 found that 26 percent of them are using the tool, a figure that has doubled from two years ago. However, it remains uncertain how fully teens are aware of the limitations and risks associated with this technology.

The survey shows that 54 percent of teens find it acceptable to use ChatGPT to explore new topics, but the percentage drops to 29 percent for math problems and 18 percent for essay writing. Although this spotlight on the responsible use of AI appears positive, the technology shows significant shortcomings. Despite its potential, ChatGPT does not excel at complex mathematical calculations, nor is it considered an entirely reliable source of information. For example, a recent analysis of GPT-4’s performance showed that its answers in an advanced-level history test were only slightly better than the result obtained with random answers. In addition, glaring weaknesses emerge in areas such as social mobility and the geopolitics of sub-Saharan Africa, areas relevant to many adolescent users.

A further critical issue concerns the pedagogical impact of the tool. Research conducted at the University of Pennsylvania showed that Turkish high school students with access to ChatGPT performed worse in mathematics than their peers who did not use it. On the other hand, a study of German students found a greater ability to access research materials through the chatbot, but a lower ability to synthesize them effectively. Overall, many educators remain cautious: a quarter of U.S. K-12 public school teachers believe the introduction of AI tools has more drawbacks than benefits. Only 18 percent say they actively integrate them into teaching, according to a Rand Corporation survey.

Despite doubts about ChatGPT’s reliability and educational effectiveness, its growing use among adolescents makes it a phenomenon impossible to ignore.