New research shows that many teenagers are seeking emotional support from AI chatbots, raising important questions about privacy, safety, and the role of parents and mental health professionals.
When teenagers feel overwhelmed, anxious, or lonely, many are no longer turning first to a friend, parent, or counselor. Instead, they’re opening an AI chatbot.
New national research suggests this is becoming a common part of teen life. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that nearly one in five Americans between the ages of 12 and 21 have used an AI chatbot for mental health advice. Among those users, about 43% said they turn to AI at least once a month, and nearly 92% reported that the conversations were somewhat or very helpful.
Perhaps the most striking finding is that nearly two-thirds, or 63%, said they never told anyone they were using AI this way.
For California families, where youth mental health remains a growing concern and access to counseling can vary by community, the findings raise an important question: What role should artificial intelligence play in emotional well-being?
Experts say the appeal is easy to understand.
AI chatbots are available 24 hours a day, don’t require appointments, and can respond instantly. For teens who may feel embarrassed discussing anxiety, stress, relationships, or family problems, chatting with AI can feel private and free from judgment.
Unlike traditional therapy, there are no insurance forms, waiting lists, or office visits.
A separate survey by the Pew Research Center found that nearly two-thirds of U.S. teens have used AI chatbots, and about half of those users said they have used them for emotional support or mental health-related conversations.
For many young people, AI has become another digital tool alongside search engines, social media, and texting.
Mental health professionals say AI can provide useful information, but they caution against treating it as a therapist.
The American Psychological Association has warned that today’s general-purpose AI systems have not been clinically proven to provide mental health care. Unlike licensed psychologists or counselors, AI cannot diagnose mental health conditions, understand complex personal histories, or consistently recognize when someone is in immediate danger.
Because AI generates responses based on patterns in data rather than human understanding, it can sometimes produce advice that is incomplete, inaccurate, or inappropriate for someone’s situation.
That becomes especially concerning if a teenager is experiencing depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, abuse, or another mental health emergency.
While many AI companies continue improving safety features, experts say no general chatbot should be considered a substitute for professional care.
Privacy is another concern
Parents may assume conversations with AI are private, but that isn’t always the case.
Depending on the platform, information shared with an AI chatbot may be stored, reviewed to improve the system, or used for future model training. Privacy policies vary from company to company.
That is why digital safety experts recommend that teenagers never share identifying information such as:
- Full names
- Home addresses
- School names
- Phone numbers
- Financial information
- Medical records
- Passwords
Helping teens understand what information should stay private is becoming as important as teaching them how to safely use social media.
AI can help, but it has limits
Mental health specialists acknowledge that AI can serve a positive role when used appropriately.
For example, AI may help someone:
- Learn about anxiety or stress.
- Practice breathing or mindfulness exercises.
- Organize thoughts before talking with a trusted adult.
- Find information about mental health conditions.
- Locate community resources.
Those uses are very different from relying on AI to replace therapy or make important health decisions.
Think of AI as a starting point for information, not the final source of emotional support.
What California parents can do
Rather than banning AI altogether, experts encourage families to build healthy digital habits.
Start by asking open-ended questions about how your teen uses AI. Many young people use chatbots for homework, creativity, or brainstorming in addition to emotional conversations.
Explain that AI is a computer program designed to predict helpful responses. It does not experience emotions, build relationships, or truly understand what someone is going through.
Parents can also encourage teens to:
- Talk with a trusted adult when facing serious emotional challenges.
- Meet with a school counselor or mental health professional when needed.
- Protect their personal information online.
- Treat AI as one tool among many, not as a replacement for real people.
Creating a judgment-free environment at home makes it more likely that teens will share when they are struggling.
California continues to invest in youth mental health through schools, community organizations, and statewide behavioral health initiatives. Even so, many families still face long wait times, provider shortages, language barriers, or cost concerns.
Those challenges may partly explain why some teenagers are looking for immediate support through technology.
For Latino families, conversations about mental health have become more common in recent years, but stigma can still make it difficult for some young people to ask for help. AI may feel easier to approach than another person, especially if a teen worries about being judged or misunderstood.
Mental health experts say technology can complement support systems, but it cannot replace the trust, empathy, and clinical expertise that come from human relationships.
Artificial intelligence is evolving quickly, and researchers continue studying how these tools affect young people’s mental health. Policymakers, schools, technology companies, and healthcare organizations are also developing new guidelines for safe AI use.
For families, the most important step isn’t avoiding the conversation. It’s starting one.
Understanding why teens are using AI, recognizing both its strengths and its limitations, and keeping communication open can help ensure technology supports, rather than replaces, the real human connections that young people need most.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of self-harm, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Help is available 24 hours a day from trained counselors. If there is an immediate danger, call 911.
