A growing number of adolescents and young adults in the US are turning to generative AI chatbots for support when feeling sad, angry, or nervous.
A new national survey reveals that over 13% of youth aged 12 to 21 have sought mental health advice from AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini.
The trend is even more pronounced among older youth aged 18 to 21, with nearly 22% using AI for this purpose.
Surprisingly, over 90% of those who used these tools reported finding the advice helpful, suggesting that AI is filling a gap in accessible mental health support.
As the US faces a youth mental health crisis, these findings highlight the evolving role of technology in emotional well-being.
While AI offers immediate, accessible advice, experts are calling for further study to ensure these tools are safe and effective for vulnerable young users.