New research reveals that one in five American adolescents aged 12 to 21—approximately 8.2 million young people—are turning to artificial intelligence chatbots for mental health support. This marks a significant increase of over 40 percent in the past year, rising from one in eight adolescents the previous year, according to a survey of 1,009 individuals conducted by the non-profit research institute RAND.
The findings highlight a growing trend amid a mental health crisis among U.S. teenagers, where suicide is the second leading cause of death for this age group, as reported by Johns Hopkins Medicine. The survey did not capture the specific questions or conversations teens are having with chatbots, but it did reveal that usage is more common among females than males and among college-aged young adults compared to those under 17. Teen girls generally report worse mental health than their male peers, according to UCLA Health.
Researchers also found that adolescents who had previously spoken with a doctor about their mental health were more likely to use AI chatbots for advice, suggesting either an unmet need for care or underutilization of traditional models. A concerning aspect is that many teens are not disclosing their use of AI for mental health guidance. Roughly two-thirds of the group said they had not told anyone, despite nearly 43 percent using chatbots at least monthly.
While 92 percent of surveyed teens found the chatbots' advice very helpful, researchers caution that this may reflect a tendency for chatbots to flatter users rather than provide accurate guidance. Myra Cheng, a computer science Ph.D. candidate at Stanford University, noted that AI advice typically does not correct users or offer tough love, which could hinder the development of crucial social skills in teenagers.
The American Psychological Association advises parents to discuss data privacy with their teens, set rules for chatbot use, and monitor whether chatbots are replacing real-life interactions. They also emphasize that AI cannot handle crises and that professional support should be sought when needed.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance in the USA, call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. In the UK, contact Samaritans at 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org.
