AI and emotional support: a worrying trend among teenagers

A growing number of teenagers in the United States are using artificial intelligence to seek emotional support and advice. According to recent surveys, approximately 12% of young people turn to tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok to address their issues.

Risks and limitations of LLMs

Generative artificial intelligence tools, while powerful, are not designed to provide psychological support or counseling. This lack of specialization raises concerns among mental health professionals, who warn about the potential risks of relying on unqualified systems to manage sensitive issues such as anxiety, depression, or other emotional problems. The absence of empathy and the possibility of inappropriate or misleading responses represent further critical elements.