Research: using AI for emotional support may signal distress in young people
A University of Ottawa study found that using AI for emotional support may be a sign of distress in young people. Other research links chatbot use to greater emotional problems among teenagers and to loneliness among students, while children increasingly turn to AI for advice.
Who is affected and how
- student
- Those seeking emotional support from a chatbot should also involve a real person who can help.
- teacher
- Reliance on AI can be a sign of a student's difficulties and is worth watching for.
- school leader
- Reliance on AI should be built into the school psychology and mental-health plan.
- parent
- It is worth talking openly with the child about what they discuss with chatbots.
- education policymaker
- School mental-health programmes must be prepared to recognise signs of AI use.
Sources
- uOttawa study finds AI use for emotional support may signal youth distress | Research and innovationuottawa.ca · Aug 31, 2026
- University of Ottawa study finds AI use for emotional support may signal youth distress - Pembroke Voicepembrokevoice.ca · Aug 31, 2026
- University of Ottawa study finds AI use for emotional support may signal youth distress • Edmonton's Businessedmontonsbusiness.ca · Aug 31, 2026
- UOttawa: AI Emotional Support May Signal Youth Distress | Mirage Newsmiragenews.com · Aug 31, 2026
- AI Emotional Support and Youth Mental Health: What the Study Foundsciquest.org · Aug 31, 2026
- University of Ottawa study finds AI use for emotional support may signal youth distress - Calgary's Businesscalgarysbusiness.ca · Aug 31, 2026
- AI Emotional Support as a Marker of Youth Psychologicalhealthmaking.com · Sep 1, 2026
- Emotional support chatbot? Research looks at how teens are using AI | CBC.cacbc.ca · Aug 31, 2026
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