Young people increasingly turning to AI chatbots for homework help and emotional support

Young people are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for academic help, entertainment, and emotional support. While specialized therapeutic tools show promise, general-purpose chatbots like ChatGPT lack critical safety protocols and can provide harmful advice. Experts urge parents to establish clear boundaries, monitor usage patterns, and discuss the limitations of simulated AI empathy to protect vulnerable teenagers.

Teen AI chatbot usage patterns

• ▪A study published in JAMA Network Open found that 13% to 20% of teenagers sought support through AI for emotional concerns during a two-month period in 2025.
• ▪A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that 63% of teenagers and young adults who used an AI chatbot for mental health advice did not disclose it to anyone.
• ▪A Common Sense Media report cited in August 2026 shows that 72% of teenagers have interacted with AI companion chatbots.
• ▪A Pew Research Center survey published in February 2026 found that 57% of United States teenagers had used chatbots to search for information.
• ▪The February 2026 Pew Research Center survey reported that 54% of United States teenagers used chatbots for schoolwork, 47% for entertainment, and 12% for emotional support.

Mental health support risks

• ▪A November 2025 Common Sense Media report rated general-purpose AI chatbots as unacceptably risky for teenage mental health support.
• ▪Lawsuits filed and settled in 2025 and 2026 alleged that interactions with commercial language models like ChatGPT led to teenage suicidal behavior and deaths.
• ▪Studies of chatbot performance show inadequate responses in detecting and responding to thoughts of suicide, even when chatbots offer resources like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
• ▪AI chatbot safety safeguards and interaction quality tend to degrade over the course of long conversations, potentially increasing risks during late-night use.

Academic integrity concerns

• ▪Remy, a 16-year-old student, noted in August 2026 that Princeton University voted to let faculty proctor exams for the first time in over a century due to AI concerns.
• ▪Remy, a 16-year-old student from New York, stated in August 2026 that English assignments at his school became in-class writing tasks because teachers wanted to prevent AI cheating.
• ▪Evelyn, a 13-year-old student from Oregon, expressed concern in August 2026 that high reliance on AI chatbots could cause students to stop trying in school.

Parental safety guidance

• ▪Clinical psychologists recommend that families establish boundaries and time limits on AI chatbot use, particularly late at night when teenagers are more emotionally vulnerable.
• ▪Clinical guidelines published in 2025 emphasize teaching teenagers that AI chatbots simulate empathy using predictive patterns rather than experiencing real connection.
• ▪Clinical psychologists advise parents to monitor red flags, such as teenagers spending excessive time with AI companions or showing irritability when access is limited.
• ▪Clinical guidelines published in 2025 advise parents to ask open-ended questions to discuss AI chatbot use with their teenagers.

Therapeutic versus general chatbots

• ▪In response to safety concerns, Character.ai banned open-ended chat for users under the age of 18 and implemented age verification requirements.
• ▪Specialized therapeutic chatbots like Woebot, an automated cognitive behavioral therapy tool, reduced depressive symptoms in college students after two weeks of use.
• ▪General-purpose AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini lack effective crisis protocols or pathways to escalate care when a user is in danger.