More Than 1 in 5 Children Report Using AI for Emotional Support-Is It Good News or Bad?

More than 20% of children report using AI chatbots for emotional support, raising questions about the implications for mental health and safety.

• Why it matters: Understanding how children engage with AI for emotional support is crucial because it highlights potential benefits and risks in a rapidly evolving technological landscape that may outpace safeguards.
• What they did: The article reviews current usage data and discusses the challenges of establishing evidence-based mental health safeguards amid the increasing adoption of AI chatbots by children.
• The result: Findings suggest a significant portion of children are turning to AI for emotional support, underscoring the urgent need for effective safety measures and further research into mental health impacts.