International
Children and young people are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to seek support for their emotional and mental health, according to international researchers, who say seeking support from AI is more common in older adolescents and is more prevalent among girls, gender diverse, and racially marginalised youth. The researchers analysed survey data from almost 40,000 children in elementary, middle, and secondary schools in Canada, finding that over 21% reported using AI for support. They also found that using AI for emotional and mental health support meant the child was twice as likely to have clinical emotional problems.
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This cross-sectional study suggests that seeking emotional support from generative AI is a unique marker of psychological distress in children and adolescents, independent of mattering or loneliness. Clinical frameworks and digital literacy programs should distinguish between functional AI assistance and the use of algorithmic interfaces as a digital refuge for emotional needs.
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