Teens Turning to AI for Emotional Support and Mental Health
Key Questions
How many teens use AI for companionship or mental health support?
72% of teens have interacted with AI companions, with 1 in 5 secretly using AI for mental health guidance and 86% of kids 9-17 using AI overall.
Do teens understand AI limitations according to recent data?
Only 35% understand that AI cannot reliably distinguish truth, and 44% have never discussed safe AI use with parents.
What policy responses address teen AI use?
Texas lawmakers are calling for strict AI bans in schools, while Meta now allows parents to view topics teens discuss with AI.
L’usage d’assistants généralistes par les adolescents progresse pour les études, la créativité, l’information et parfois le soutien émotionnel. Les travaux sur la détection automatisée de signes dépressifs sont prometteurs mais préliminaires ; confidentialité, biais, faux positifs et réponses face à l’automutilation restent non résolus.
Sources (2)
Updated Oct 7, 2026