# Adolescents Use AI for Mental Health Without Telling Parents

> How teens discuss mental health with AI without parents knowing.
- Title: Adolescents Use AI for Mental Health Without Telling Parents
- Summary: How teens discuss mental health with AI without parents knowing. Teens use AI chatbots for mental health advice without telling parents, prompting parents to…
- Keywords: adolescent, mental health, parent, chatbot, jama pediatrics, todd thomas, Adolescents, Use, Mental, Health, Without, Telling
- Source: Psychologies — https://psychologies.com/famille/Votre-ado-parle-peut-etre-de-sa-sante-mentale-a-une-IA-sans-vous-en-parler-ce-psychiatre-explique-comment-ouvrir-le-dialogue-sans-le-braquer-642527
- Author: Bokhobza Olivia
- Published: 2026-10-03T10:02:43+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: adolescent, ai, mental health, parent, chatbot, jama pediatrics, todd thomas
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Teens use AI chatbots for mental health advice without telling parents, prompting parents to build trust through open conversations.