One in four teens turning to AI chatbots for mental health support, study finds
A quarter of young people in the UK have turned to AI chatbots for mental health support in the past year, new research has revealed.
A study of 11,000 children aged 13 to 16 in England and Wales found that more than half of young people had used some form of online mental health support in the past year, while 25 per cent had used AI chatbots.
Research conducted by the charity Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) has found that young people affected by serious violence are even more likely to seek help online.
Approximately 38 percent of children who were victims of serious violence said they turned to AI chatbots for support, while 44 percent of children who were perpetrators of serious violence said they had done the same.
YEF said AI chatbots could appeal to struggling youth who feel it is safer and easier to talk anonymously to an AI chatbot at any time of the day rather than talking to a professional.
YEF youth advisory board member Ajada said: “Artificial intelligence really scares me. If you are really struggling and thinking of doing something harmful to yourself, you can ask AI for support. It will give you the information, but what you do with it is up to you.”
“So we lose the emotional, personal experience that comes with positive human interactions.”
Charity leaders also warned this could be due to a lack of support for young people’s mental health, stressing: “They need a human, not a boat.”
“Too many young people are struggling with their mental health and not getting the support they need. It’s no surprise that some are turning to technology for help.” Jon Yates, CEO of the Youth Endowment Fund, said:
“We must do better for our children, especially those most at risk. They need people, not robots.”
He added: “For those experiencing violence, the understanding and empathy of a trusted adult can make all the difference – someone who listens, reassures and helps them see that they do not have to face their problems alone.”
The research also found that more than a quarter of young people reported high or very high levels of symptoms associated with mental health problems.
A quarter of young people surveyed have a formal diagnosis of a mental health or neurodevelopmental condition, while 21 percent believe they may have a condition but have not been formally diagnosed.
14 percent said they had harmed themselves in the past year and 12 percent said they had considered ending their lives.
Earlier this year the NHS urged young people to stop using AI chatbots as a substitute for therapy, warning they could provide “harmful and dangerous” mental health advice.
NHS leaders said the rise in so-called “AI therapy” was a worrying trend, particularly among teenagers and young adults, while experts warned the tools were not equipped to deal with serious mental health conditions and could worsen symptoms.
Claire Murdoch, NHS England’s national director of mental health, said: “We are hearing some worrying reports of AI chatbots giving potentially harmful and dangerous advice to people seeking mental health treatment, particularly among teenagers and young adults.” Times In September.
He said AI platforms “should not be relied upon” for sound mental health advice and “should never replace trusted sources of information” from registered therapists.
If you are feeling distressed or struggling to cope, you can talk or email the Samaritans confidentially on 116 123 (UK and ROI). jo@samaritans.orgor visit Samaritans Website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are a US resident and you or someone you know needs mental health help right now, call or text 988 or visit: 988lifeline.org To access online chat on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis helpline available to anyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country you can go to: www.befrienders.org To find a helpline near you
