Teens Use AI for Mental Health

Teens increasingly use AI chatbots for mental health advice without telling parents, creating a secret support system.

“Mon IA s'appelle Blake. Je lui pose toutes les questions que je n'ose poser à personne.”

19.2% of Teens Use AI for Mental Health

19.2% of teens use AI chatbots for mental health advice, a 50% increase from last year, with 91.7% finding the advice useful.

“19,2 % des participants ont utilisé des chatbots d'IA pour obtenir des conseils en matière de santé mentale”

63.3% Don't Tell Parents

63.3% of teens say they don't tell anyone about using AI for mental health advice, highlighting a communication gap with parents.

“63,3 % des jeunes déclarent n'en avoir parlé à personne”

Psychiatrist's Advice for Parents

Psychiatrist Todd Thatcher advises parents to avoid moralizing about AI and instead ask teens about their friends' use of AI.

“La dernière chose que vous voulez faire, c'est lui faire la morale”

Build Human Connection

Parents should create distraction-free family time to strengthen bonds, as teens seek human connection over AI.

“Les adolescents sont particulièrement sensibles au lien humain et recherchent vraiment cela, ils en ont besoin”

AI as Conversation Starter

Using AI as a topic for family discussions helps teens feel safe sharing mental health concerns without judgment.

“Si tu vas poser certaines questions à une IA, je préfère qu'on puisse aussi en parler ensemble”

What Happens Next

Parents who build trust with teens through open communication can help them use AI responsibly for mental health.