When today’s teenagers and young adults are struggling emotionally, they turn to friends, family, therapists, and even artificial intelligence.
Nearly one in five adolescents and young adults have turned to an AI chatbot for advice or help when they felt upset, nervous, or anxious, according to a new study published June 1 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Researchers also found that many of these young people repeatedly used chatbots and found their advice helpful, suggesting that AI is already becoming part of the mental health information ecosystem for millions of young people. These insights raise important questions about how these tools should be used and what their limits are.
To answer these questions, I spoke to CNN wellness expert Dr. Liana Wen, an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University. She previously served as Baltimore City’s health commissioner and is the mother of two young children.
CNN: What does this new study tell you about why so many young people are turning to AI chatbots for support?
Dr. Liana Wen: The study surveyed 1,009 adolescents and young adults ages 12 to 21 across the United States and weighted the results to be representative of the approximately 43 million youth in the United States. Researchers asked participants whether they used an AI chatbot to seek advice or help when they felt sad, angry, nervous, or stressed.
The research team found that 19% reported doing so, which equates to more than 8 million young people nationwide. Among participants who used chatbots for emotional support, many reported repeated use, with more than 4 in 10 using chatbots at least monthly. Interestingly, young people who recently discussed their mental health with a doctor were more likely to report using an AI chatbot, suggesting that these tools are often used alongside traditional sources of support.
As for why young people are interested in chatbots, I think the answer is self-evident. These tools are available at all times of the day, provide immediate responses, don’t seem judgmental, and give you a sense of privacy. For teens who are embarrassed to discuss their problems with their parents, teachers, or counselors, typing questions into a chatbot may feel easier than starting a conversation with someone else.
CNN: Research shows most users find advice helpful. So does that mean these chatbots are useful?
Wen: Not necessarily. This is one of the most important differences in research.
Researchers found that more than 91% of users found the advice somewhat or very helpful. This shows that young people generally like the response they receive. We don’t know whether the response improved their mental health, reduced symptoms of depression or anxiety, or led to improved long-term outcomes.
This is an important distinction because AI chatbots are often designed to be engaging and likable, even flattering and flattering. Users can feel heard and recognized, and want to have more conversations. While these attributes may create a positive user experience, they are not the same as evidence-based mental health care.
Let’s consider how this finding applies to other aspects of medicine. Patients want warm and friendly interactions with their healthcare providers, but it’s critical that the advice is accurate and actually improves the person’s health. You shouldn’t go to just anyone for medical care, and you shouldn’t just go to general-purpose AI tools for mental health care.
CNN: What are your biggest concerns about relying on AI chatbots for mental health advice?
Wen: The first concern is accuracy. These systems can hallucinate and provide false information. They may misunderstand the context and offer advice that sounds convincing, but is wrong and even dangerous. They are not a substitute for clinical judgment and, importantly, cannot recognize when someone requires emergency intervention.
Second, chatbots may reinforce what users want to hear, rather than what they need to hear. If a young person expresses distorted beliefs, unhealthy coping mechanisms, or potentially harmful thoughts, chatbots may validate some of those thoughts rather than properly challenge them.
Third, some adolescents may feel that chatbots provide sufficient support and may delay seeking professional help. In cases of mild stress or everyday frustrations, it may be okay to opt for that type of support. Delaying treatment is critical in cases of severe depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. There are many cases in which parents blame AI bots for their children’s mental health harm or suicide. Teens who do not receive adequate and timely mental health care can have very real consequences.
CNN: Researchers found that most young people don’t tell anyone they’re using chatbots for this purpose. Why is it important?
Wen: This was one of the most impressive discoveries for me. Nearly two-thirds of users said they had not told anyone that they were using a chatbot for emotional support.
Again, there are obvious reasons such as privacy. The problem is that parents, clinicians, and other trusted adults may not realize how much AI is influencing the way young people think about emotional issues. If teenagers receive inaccurate information or become overly reliant on chatbots, the adults around them may never know.
That’s why I think parents and health professionals should start asking about AI use the same way they ask about social media use. Information is becoming increasingly important in the way young people gather information and seek support.
CNN: Are there situations where AI chatbots can play an active role in emotional support and mental health?
Wen: Probably so. For example, AI chatbots could help some people practice difficult conversations, learn basic coping strategies, and identify mental health resources. It can also lower barriers for people who are hesitant to seek help. For example, an anxious teenager might use a chatbot to learn about relaxation techniques or create questions to ask a therapist.
Some AI tools are specifically built to help patients who are already under the care of a mental health professional. If validated in the future, it could be a better alternative to the general purpose AI chatbots currently in use. But again, the danger is when AI replaces human relationships and professional care.
CNN: As AI becomes part of everyday life, what can parents do to support their children’s mental health?
Wen: I recommend approaching AI the way many families have learned to approach social media. Understand what tools your child is using. Ask open-ended questions. Stay curious and not critical.
Parents can help their children understand that AI has its strengths and limitations. Together they can query the AI and see how the chatbot can provide helpful suggestions, as well as emphasize how important it is to validate the information provided and question the responses. This involves entering the same question into different chatbots. And they can certainly emphasize that AI is a tool and not a replacement for a therapist or trusted family member.
We also encourage parents to model healthy help-seeking behavior. Children should know that asking for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Children need to understand that emotional problems are a normal part of life and that there are many reliable sources of human help available, including teachers, counselors, pediatricians, and, of course, parents and other caregivers.
CNN: What advice would you give to adolescents and young adults who are struggling with stress, anxiety, sadness, or other mental health issues?
Wen: If you’re facing challenges, know that you don’t have to deal with them alone. Talk to your parents or another trusted adult. Professional help is especially important if your symptoms persist, interfere with your daily life, or cause you to consider self-harm. That means contacting your primary care physician or certified mental health professional. If you don’t know where to turn, call our toll-free 24/7 confidential hotline at 988. Connect instantly with a mental health professional.
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