OpenAI has released early data and new product features for ChatGPT for Teens, the automatically applied experience for users under 18. The company reports that young people are using the platform primarily for learning, test preparation, and college planning rather than passive scrolling. The announcement outlines early engagement patterns, a forthcoming College Planner tool, expanded nonprofit support, and new study features including flashcards and quizzes.
Early Engagement Shows Learning-Focused Use
ChatGPT for Teens became available to more users globally, and those with access sent about 2.7 million more learning-related messages on average than those without it. The most selected conversation starters included asking questions to develop ideas, requesting feedback on drafts, and checking evidence. In one week, nearly 1.2 million teens used Learning Visualizations for math and science concepts, while more than 180,000 used Study Mode.
Responsible Use and Break Patterns
OpenAI said teens spend under 15 minutes per day on ChatGPT on average, and less than 2% of teens spend more than three consecutive hours on the platform. In almost half of conversations with a break reminder, teens took a break or ended the conversation within five minutes. The company contrasted this with publicly reported social media usage and noted that ChatGPT is built for learning, creating, and problem solving.
College Planner Aims to Simplify Applications
OpenAI will soon introduce College Planner inside ChatGPT for Teens for high school students in grades 10 through 12 in the United States. The tool will help students manage application requirements, deadlines, tasks, and financial aid steps for schools on their list in one plan. Students can update progress, use timelines, and ask ChatGPT questions about requirements or next steps.
Expanding Access and Nonprofit Support
College Planner will initially focus on four-year college applicants, with plans to expand to more countries and to two-year colleges, technical colleges, trade schools, and other pathways. It will also help students understand financial aid requirements, track school aid deadlines, and explore scholarships and fee waivers. OpenAI is supporting College Advising Corps to expand into new states and create an AI fellowship program for advisers.
Teen Advisory Partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital
OpenAI is supporting Boston Children’s Hospital’s Digital Wellness Lab and its independent Student Advisory Council over the next three years. For the 2026 to 2027 school year, the Lab will bring together about 22 students across two tracks focused on digital wellbeing projects and AI chatbot development. Participating students will test tools, recommend changes, and provide input on teen safety defaults, parental controls, notifications, and AI literacy.
New Study Tools Include Flashcards and Quizzes
OpenAI is making it easier for students to turn notes into study materials. Continuous multi-photo capture on iOS lets students photograph multiple pages and automatically combine them into a single PDF for upload to ChatGPT, with Android support planned. New flashcard and quiz features allow teens to upload class notes, generate review decks, mark known cards, shuffle missed items, and save materials in a personal library.
OpenAI says it will continue to learn from teens, families, and educators while evaluating protections in practice. The new tools and research partnerships reflect an effort to make ChatGPT a more structured learning resource for young people across different levels of support. The company plans to expand College Planner and other features over time as it gathers feedback from students and expert organizations.