Roughly one in five adolescents in the United States uses chatbots for mental health advice—and more than half of those users don’t disclose that use to anyone else, according to a study published yesterday in JAMA Pediatrics.Why It’s Relevant
Adolescents may see AI chatbots as good sources of advice because they offer personalized, interactive, and anonymous guidance. However, these same benefits are also risks, because chatbot interactions occur without oversight by adults or mental health professionals.
By the Numbers
- In November 2025, researchers surveyed 1,009 youth 12 to 21 years old about their use of AI chatbots for mental health advice—particularly when they felt sad, angry, nervous, or stressed—including frequency of use, perceived helpfulness of responses, and disclosure of use to others.
- Based on the survey responses, the researchers calculated that 19.2% of adolescents nationally (about 8 million individuals) used AI chatbots for mental health advice in 2025—a significantincrease from 2024 (13.1%).
- Among those who sought advice from AI chatbots, 42.8% did so at least monthly, and 91.7% rated the advice as somewhat or very helpful. In addition, 63.3% reported they had not disclosed AI chatbot use for mental health advice to anyone.
The Other Side
The researchers didn’t ask about specific AI chatbots, nor did they ask adolescents about specific mental health diagnoses or assess the quality of care delivered by the chatbots. In addition, AI chatbots and perceptions of their risks are continually evolving, and this study offers a snapshot of adolescents’ habits in late 2025.
Takeaway Message
“Although mental health advice from AI chatbots may circumvent stigma associated with disclosure to adults or peers, this privacy also poses risks if individuals do not disclose their use of these tools to health care professionals or trusted adults,” the researchers wrote. “As these technologies become increasingly integrated into the daily lives of young people, they should be understood as active contributors in the broader ecosystem of psychological interventions.”
Related Information
Source
Ryan K. McBain, et al. AI chatbot use and disclosure for mental health among US adolescents and young adults. JAMA Pediatrics. Published online Jun 1, 2026. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2026.2015
(Image: Getty Images/iStock/CHEBOTKEVICH)
