# OpenAI Reports Teen ChatGPT Use Averages Under 15 Minutes Daily Amid Safety Criticisms

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/openai-reports-teen-chatgpt-use-averages-under-15-minutes-daily-amid-safety-9ff9fa
- Published: 2026-10-08T01:14:02Z
- Category: company_news; sentiment: mixed; impact: medium
- Symbols: [NASDAQ:OPENAI](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/NASDAQ-OPENAI)
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OpenAI (NASDAQ:OPENAI) released its inaugural teen usage report, revealing that teenagers spend an average of less than 15 minutes per day using the ChatGPT application. The report also noted that fewer than 2% of teen users engage with the chatbot continuously for over three hours, and nearly half of the conversations paused or stopped within five minutes of receiving a break reminder.

The findings follow the August launch of ChatGPT for Teens, a specialized mode featuring parental controls and restrictions on sensitive topics. However, advocacy group Common Sense Media raised safety concerns on Wednesday, stating that the platform failed to reliably suggest crisis hotlines or notify parents in a timely manner when test accounts discussed self-harm, suicide, or eating disorders.

OpenAI defended its system, explaining that safety alerts and account linking can take several hours to process due to scale. The company is currently exploring new educational features for the teen mode, including college planning, digital flashcards, and quizzes, as it seeks to address safety criticisms while expanding its study-focused tools.

## Key points

- OpenAI reported that teenagers spend an average of less than 15 minutes per day on ChatGPT.
- Fewer than 2% of teenage users run the chatbot continuously for more than three hours.
- Common Sense Media criticized the teen safety mode, claiming parent notifications for sensitive topics can be delayed or fail to trigger.
- OpenAI stated that safety alerts and account linking can take hours to activate due to safety and scaling requirements.

## Questions and answers

### How much time do teenagers spend on ChatGPT daily?

On average, teenagers spend less than 15 minutes per day on ChatGPT, and fewer than 2% use it continuously for more than three hours.

### What safety issues did critics find with ChatGPT for Teens?

Test accounts revealed the platform often fails to suggest crisis hotlines or notify parents in a timely manner when teens discuss self-harm or eating disorders.