OpenAI has introduced new features to ChatGPT for Teens, including a College Planner tool and enhanced study aids, as part of its ongoing effort to shape how young people use super intelligence (SI) systems for education and future planning.
What Happened
The company announced the addition of College Planner to ChatGPT for Teens, a tool designed to help high school students in grades 10–12 manage the practical steps of applying to four-year colleges in the US. The feature aggregates application requirements, deadlines, tasks, and financial-aid steps into a single plan, allowing students to track progress and ask questions about specific requirements. OpenAI plans to expand the tool to include two-year colleges, technical colleges and trade schools, as well as students in other countries, over time.
In addition to the planner, OpenAI is introducing continuous multi-photo capture on iOS, which allows students to photograph multiple pages of notes and combine them into a single PDF for upload. The update also includes new flashcard and quiz creation tools, enabling students to turn class notes or specific topics into interactive study materials. These features are available within the ChatGPT interface, with Android support for multi-photo capture currently in development.
OpenAI also detailed early usage metrics for ChatGPT for Teens, the default experience for accounts identified as under 18. The company reports that teens with access to the tool sent approximately 2.7 million more learning-related messages on average than those without it. Key usage statistics include nearly 1.2 million teens using Learning Visualizations in a single week and over 180,000 using Study Mode. The company notes that average daily usage for teens is under 15 minutes, with less than 2% spending more than three consecutive hours on the platform.
Why It Matters
The expansion of ChatGPT for Teens reflects a broader industry push to integrate SI tools into educational workflows while addressing concerns about screen time and passive consumption. By focusing on active learning tools like flashcards, quizzes and college planning, OpenAI is positioning its SI product as a utility for structured academic support rather than just a chatbot for entertainment. The inclusion of built-in break reminders and the reported low average usage time may serve to alleviate parental and educator concerns about excessive engagement with SI systems.
OpenAI is also formalizing its approach to teen safety and product design through partnerships. The company announced a three-year support agreement with Boston Children’s Hospital’s Digital Wellness Lab and its Student Advisory Council. This initiative will involve approximately 22 students aged 14–20 in two tracks: one focused on digital wellbeing projects and the other on building SI chatbots and testing emerging technology. Students in the SI track will provide feedback on safety defaults, parental controls, notifications and SI literacy, with their recommendations intended to influence product and model decisions.
Furthermore, OpenAI is supporting the College Advising Corps, a nonprofit that places recent graduates in under-resourced high schools. The company’s contribution will help expand the organization into new states and create an SI fellowship program, where advisers will test and share practical ways to use SI tools to help students navigate college applications. This partnership aims to bridge gaps in access to college guidance for students with varying financial circumstances.
The Bottom Line
OpenAI is expanding ChatGPT for Teens with new college planning and study tools, while leveraging partnerships with academic and health institutions to gather direct feedback from young users. The company reports strong engagement with learning-specific features and low average daily usage, suggesting a distinct pattern of interaction compared to social media platforms.