OpenAI Expands AI Tools for Teens With College Planner and Council

Overview

OpenAI has announced a significant expansion of its safety and utility features for teenage users, introducing a new College Planner tool and establishing a teen advisory council. These updates build upon ChatGPT for Teens, the platform’s default environment for accounts identified as under 18, which launched earlier this year to address the unique needs of younger learners.

The company highlighted that early data shows a marked increase in educational engagement among teens with access to these specialized tools. By integrating resources for college applications and fostering direct feedback loops with young users, OpenAI aims to position its platform as a constructive aid for learning and future planning, rather than a replacement for human guidance.

Early Progress and Usage Data

Since the global rollout of ChatGPT for Teens, OpenAI has observed substantial shifts in how young people utilize the platform for academic purposes. Data indicates that teens with access to the specialized interface sent approximately 2.7 million more learning-related messages on average compared to those who did not yet have it available.

The most popular conversation starters among this demographic include requests to "ask questions to develop my ideas," "give feedback on my draft," and "help me check my evidence." These prompts suggest that teens are actively using the tool to refine critical thinking and writing skills rather than seeking simple factual answers.

Engagement with Learning Tools

Usage statistics reveal that nearly 1.2 million teens engaged with Learning Visualizations within a single week. This feature helps students grasp complex concepts in math and science through interactive diagrams and explanations. Additionally, more than 180,000 users utilized Study Mode, which provides step-by-step guidance to support structured learning without directly providing answers.

The platform also incorporates built-in reminders designed to encourage healthy digital habits. On average, teens spend less than 15 minutes per day on ChatGPT. While fewer than 2% of teen users spend more than three consecutive hours on the app, nearly half of those who received a break reminder ended their session or paused within five minutes.

"These usage patterns remain well below the publicly reported average of 5 hours for teen social media usage, and reflect a different kind of experience: ChatGPT is designed for learning, building, and creativity, rather than passive scrolling."

Among teens who did engage in sessions longer than three hours, over 80% of their prompts remained related to learning objectives. This data supports OpenAI's assertion that the tool serves as an active educational aid rather than a source of mindless entertainment.

Introducing College Planner

OpenAI is set to launch College Planner for teens in the United States, addressing the complex logistical challenges of the higher education application process. The tool is designed to help students manage practical steps—such as tracking deadlines, organizing application requirements, and understanding financial aid—without taking over the personal decision-making process of choosing where to apply.

The initial version of College Planner targets high school students in grades 10 through 12 who plan to attend four-year colleges. It aggregates application data into a unified timeline, allowing students to update their progress and see remaining tasks at a glance. Users can also ask ChatGPT contextual questions about specific requirements or how to begin certain parts of the application.

Supporting Financial Aid and Broader Access

A key component of the new tool is its focus on financial accessibility. OpenAI acknowledged that students have varying levels of access to college counseling support, often dependent on their school's resources and financial circumstances. The planner helps users understand financial aid requirements, track scholarship deadlines, and explore fee waivers.

To complement the technological tool, OpenAI announced a partnership with the College Advising Corps, a nonprofit organization that places recent college graduates as advisers in under-resourced high schools. OpenAI’s contribution will support the organization's expansion into new states and fund a new AI fellowship program.

"For students navigating the college application process, an unanswered question about a form, deadline, or fee can feel like a closed door. College Advising Corps advisers help students work through those moments with confidence. We see promise in College Planner as a tool that can help students prepare for those conversations, stay on track, and continue moving toward a college that is affordable and aligned with their goals." — Ekaterina Struett, CEO, College Advising Corps

This collaboration aims to blend technological efficiency with human mentorship. While AI can help manage administrative tasks, advisers will continue to guide students in weighing their options and making final decisions.

Future Expansions

OpenAI plans to eventually extend College Planner to students in other countries and broaden its scope to include two-year colleges, technical institutes, and trade schools. This phased rollout reflects the company’s goal to make college preparation assistance more equitable and accessible across different educational pathways.

Teen AI Council and Digital Wellness

In addition to product updates, OpenAI is strengthening its commitment to ethical design through direct engagement with the teen community. The company announced a three-year support agreement with Boston Children’s Hospital’s Digital Wellness Lab. This partnership will facilitate the formation of a Student Advisory Council comprising approximately 22 students for the 2026–27 school year.

The council will operate across two tracks, allowing teens to provide meaningful input on how AI integrates into their daily lives. This initiative ensures that young users have a stake in the development of the tools they use, moving beyond passive consumption to active collaboration in design discussions.

Fostering Critical Thinking and Safety

The Student Advisory Council’s feedback will inform ongoing improvements to ChatGPT for Teens. By listening directly to teenagers, OpenAI aims to refine features that promote critical thinking, safety, and healthy usage habits. The company emphasized that these early signs are encouraging but stressed the importance of continued evaluation alongside teens, families, and educators.

This multi-faceted approach—combining practical tools like College Planner with structural safeguards like break reminders and advisory councils—positions OpenAI to address the specific needs of adolescent users. As the platform evolves, the focus remains on empowering teens to learn, plan, and shape their futures responsibly.