As more teens turn to AI for emotional support, experts say it's no substitute for human connection
A University of Ottawa study found that one in five Ontario students uses AI chatbots for emotional support, with higher usage among those already experiencing mental health challenges. Experts warn that while AI can be a starting point, it is not a substitute for professional human connection.
Why it matters
Addresses the growing intersection of mental health and technology, highlighting the risks of relying on non-human support systems for vulnerable youth.
The study by University of Ottawa researchers looked at nearly 40,000 students in Grades 4 through 12 in Ontario, finding that roughly one in five used AI chatbots for emotional support or advice. Those who did use AI for those purposes were twice as likely to have clinical emotional problems as those who did not.
The findings don't imply that AI is the cause of mental health problems, noted study author Tracy Vaillancourt, the Canada Research Chair in Youth Mental Health and Violence Prevention.
"It's not that I think AI is causing them to be unwell," she said. "I think there's something already there, and this is just another place for young people to get advice on how to manage adversity in their lives."
Emotional support chatbot? Research looks at how teens are using AI
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