JED study: teens who use AI as a companion report the highest rates of suicidal thoughts
A Jed Foundation study finds a link between teens' AI use and suicidal thoughts and behaviour. The rate is highest among those using AI for companionship, and most teens who used AI for mental health support wanted more help (26–28 October 2026).
Who is affected and how
- parent
- If a child chats with a chatbot as a companion, this can be a warning sign worth discussing openly.
- teacher
- Students who use AI as a companion may need particular attention, and it helps to know where to refer them.
- school leader
- When building school mental health services, account for students turning to AI for help.
Sources
- New JED Research Shows Link Between Teens’ AI Use, Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors | The Jed Foundationstaging.jedfoundation.org · Oct 26, 2026
- New JED Research Shows Link Between Teens’ AI Use, Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviorsthe jed foundation · Oct 27, 2026
- Teens Who Use AI for Companionship Face Highest Rates of Suicidal Thoughts, JED Study Findstech times · Oct 27, 2026
- Teens, AI companionship and mental health: JED study | Peepalspeepalsglobal.com · Oct 29, 2026
- Most teens who used AI for mental health support wanted more helpnews-medical.net · Oct 28, 2026
- Surveys find most tweens and teens use AI chatbots, with some uses linked to worse mental health | Mathias Habib Foundationmathiashabibfoundation.org · Oct 30, 2026
- Most US tweens and teens now use AI chatbots, and many turn to them when they are struggling · AI Pulseai-pulse.aglaganova.com · Oct 31, 2026
Machine-generated summary based on the titles and excerpts of the source articles. The facts come from the linked article.