AI chatbots used by adolescents for emotional support

Research indicates a growing trend of adolescents using AI chatbots for emotional support. Studies show that 72% of adolescents have interacted with companion-style AI, with 13% to 20% seeking emotional assistance through these tools within a two-month period in 2025.

Experts warn that general-purpose AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Snapchat’s My AI, are not validated substitutes for human relationships or professional mental health care. A recent study found that 63% of adolescents and young adults who used AI chatbots for mental health advice did not disclose these interactions to anyone.

Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists have issued recommendations for parents and specialists to address this vulnerability. They note that because these chatbots are easily accessible and can simulate empathy, adolescents—who are still developing their identities—may perceive these simulated relationships as significant or even prefer them over human social interaction.