Most English teens using AI for mental health wanted extra support

A new study of 24,132 students in England revealed that 2.7 percent of adolescents used general-purpose artificial intelligence for mental health support over the previous year, News-Medical reported. Researchers examined which teenagers turn to AI chatbots for advice and assessed how well these tools met their needs. [1]

Among the respondents who answered relevant questions about their usage, 55.9 percent rated the support from AI as helpful, according to News-Medical. However, 63.2 percent of those users expressed a desire for additional assistance beyond what the digital tools provided. [1]

The findings highlighted that unmet needs were particularly high among specific groups of young people, News-Medical reported. Adolescents who were experiencing ongoing mental health difficulties and social adversity reported a greater demand for further human or professional help after using AI. [1]

The research provides new insight into how young people navigate digital options during a wider search for support, according to News-Medical. The survey illustrates that while general-purpose AI is becoming an accessible option, it currently acts as a supplement rather than a complete solution for youth mental healthcare. [1]