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How US Youth Use AI Chatbots: Conversation Patterns From Naturalistic Keystroke Observations
Anne Maheux1, Debra Boeldt2, Samir Akre-Bhide2
1Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Youth interactions with generative AI (genAI) chatbots vary widely. While tool use is common, risky themes like violence and sexual role-play emerge, particularly in younger users, necessitating further research on developmental impacts.
Area of Science:
- Digital Health
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Adolescent Psychology
Background:
- Youth are increasingly using generative artificial intelligence (genAI) chatbots.
- Understanding the nature of these youth-genAI interactions is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize youth discussions with genAI chatbots by analyzing naturalistic keystroke data.
- To describe interaction themes by age and app, engagement quantity, and theme co-occurrence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized keystroke data from 3,363 U.S. youth (ages 1-17) via the Aura parental monitoring app.
- Coded interactions using a large language model with human review for distinct genAI apps and user-app-days.
- Analyzed themes, word counts (proxy for engagement), and co-occurring themes across different age groups and applications.
Main Results:
- Identified 11 themes, with tool use being most common (62%).
- Significant proportions of interactions involved violence (15%), sexual role-play (15%), and romantic role-play (8%).
- Theme prevalence varied by age and app; younger users showed more violence/sexual themes, older users more tool use. Violence and sexual/romantic role-play often co-occurred.
Conclusions:
- Youth genAI engagement is highly variable, with tool use prevalent but potentially risky themes also present.
- Developmentally salient themes of sexuality, romance, and violence require nuanced investigation, especially for younger users.
- Further research linking genAI use with well-being measures is crucial for promoting safety and informing design.
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