Teen use of AI mental-health chatbots jumps 40% in a year, experts call for safety rules

A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that the proportion of adolescents turning to AI chatbots for mental-health advice rose from roughly one in eight to one in five within a single year, a rise of more than 40 percent. The authors say this surge shows that chatbot use is no longer a speculative issue but a real part of many teens’ mental-health landscape.

The increase is driven by gaps in traditional care: many young people find counseling hard to access, costly, or stigmatized. CDC data from 2023 indicate that fewer than half of adolescents with major depressive episodes received professional counseling in the prior year, leaving an always-available, non-judgmental chatbot to fill the void.

While the technology can offer immediate support, the authors warn that even rare failures could have serious consequences for vulnerable users. They argue that blanket bans are not the solution; instead, targeted regulations and safety standards are needed to protect teens while preserving the benefits of AI-driven mental-health tools.

The piece calls on parents, schools, and policymakers to develop rules that ensure these digital assistants are safe, reliable, and appropriately supervised, rather than eliminating them outright.