A massive 84% of teens are venting to AI for emotional support, and many say it’s actually better than talking to a human.
March 18, 2026
Original Paper
" He made me feel less alone": Adolescents’ Engagement with GenAI for Emotional Support.
PsyArXiv · vmu5x_v1
The Takeaway
Despite warnings about screen time, adolescents are spontaneously using generative AI to process complex interpersonal conflicts and mental health symptoms. A significant portion of these teens report that chatting with an AI makes them feel more understood and substantially less lonely.
From the abstract
An increasing number of adolescents worldwide experience mental health difficulties, yet access to formal and informal support remains limited. Concurrently, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools have rapidly entered everyday life and become widely accessible to most adolescents. This study examined adolescents’ spontaneous use of GenAI for emotional support, as well as their experiences and level of knowledge regarding GenAI. Participants were 594 Israeli adolescents aged 12 to 18 wh