OpenAI published an update on October 7, 2026 describing new features and partnerships for ChatGPT for Teens, the default experience applied to accounts identified as under 18. The company said the toolset aims to support learning, college planning and youth input into AI design.
Usage patterns and learning tools
OpenAI reported that ChatGPT has about 1.2 billion users globally and that teens with access to ChatGPT for Teens sent about 2.7 million more learning-related messages on average than those who did not yet have the experience. In one week, nearly 1.2 million teens used Learning Visualizations to understand math and science concepts, and more than 180,000 used Study Mode.
OpenAI said teens spend under 15 minutes per day on ChatGPT on average. Less than 2% of teens spend more than three consecutive hours in a session; in almost half of conversations where a break reminder appeared, teens took a break or ended the conversation within five minutes. Among teens whose sessions exceeded three consecutive hours, over 80% had at least one prompt related to learning. OpenAI contrasted those figures with a publicly reported average of five hours for teen social media usage.
College Planner, study tools, and partnerships
College Planner will be added to ChatGPT for Teens to help high-school students manage application requirements, deadlines, tasks and financial-aid steps for schools on their lists. OpenAI said the initial US experience is designed for students in grades 10–12 planning to attend four-year colleges, with plans to expand to two-year colleges, technical colleges and trade schools over time.
The feature will let students update progress on multiple applications, use a timeline, track each school’s aid deadlines, and ask ChatGPT clarifying questions about requirements. OpenAI described this as a tool to consolidate practical steps, not to replace personal work by students, counselors or families.
OpenAI also announced support for College Advising Corps to expand into new states and to create an AI fellowship for advisers. Ekaterina Struett, CEO of College Advising Corps, said advisers see promise in College Planner as a tool to help students prepare for conversations about forms, deadlines and fees.
In addition, OpenAI will support Boston Children’s Hospital’s Digital Wellness Lab and its Student Advisory Council for three years. For the 2026–27 school year the Lab will recruit about 22 students across two tracks—roughly 12 ages 14–18 focused on digital wellbeing projects and about 10 ages 16–20 working on AI chatbots—to test tools and recommend changes.
OpenAI said continuous multi-photo capture is available on iOS to turn notes into a single PDF for upload, with Android support planned, and that flashcards and improved quiz creation will help teens study. The company published this update on October 7, 2026.
Original source: OpenAI News