Why AI Therapy Could Harm Your Teen's Mental Health

Parents may be surprised to learn that teens are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence for comfort, advice, and even therapy. Apps like Wysa, Youper, and Earkick, and even study tools like ChatGPT or Gemini, offer constant availability and friendly conversation, which can feel like a lifeline to a struggling teen. But there are serious risks with relying on AI for emotional support. By knowing the potential dangers, parents can better support their teens in choosing safer, healthier outlets.

Why AI Therapy Could Harm Your Teen’s Mental Health (Parent video)

Concerns about AI Therapy

• It may seem convenient for teens to turn to AI-driven platforms like Wysa, Youper, and Earkick. These services, along with social media platforms like Instagram and new interactive AI platforms, allow kids to engage in therapeutic-like chatting with AI characters
• Students might seek support from general-purpose AI tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini instead of consulting with a licensed professional
• This shift towards AI can build unhealthy dependencies and, more alarmingly, lead to what experts term "AI psychosis," where prolonged interactions with chatbots distort the user's sense of reality
• Parents across several states are raising concerns and even instituting bans on artificial intelligence (AI) as a substitute for traditional therapy (Source: The Washington Post)

The Limitations of AI as Therapy

• Chatbots excel at being encouraging, conversational, and available at all times, but they fall short as therapeutic tools
• Unlike real therapists, AI lacks the ability to challenge harmful thinking patterns or recognize when a user is in crisis
• This shortcoming is crucial, as those most at risk of turning to AI are often already facing significant struggles
• A child in distress might use a chatbot to validate negative thoughts or immerse themselves in conversations with AI for escapism, blurring lines between digital empathy and human connection

What can parents do?

• Observe and engage: Watch for any changes in mood or behavior in your child, and remind them they can always come to you with their concerns‍
• Educate and question: Discuss with your child what AI is good for and where it might fall short. Consider asking how working through a problem with AI compares to doing so with a real person‍
• Model balance and limitations: Demonstrate balanced use of technology in your own life. Explain, for instance, "I use AI for work, but I’d never rely on it for emotional support"‍
• Foster open conversations: Ultimately, no app can replace the safety of a healthy, open dialogue between parents and children. Encourage your child to approach you with anything online that makes them feel uneasy

Additional Resources for Parents

AI for Student Success: Being Productive & Learning Future Skills

Teens Using AI Chatbots as Therapists

Conclusion

AI tools can be useful in certain parts of a teen’s life, but they’re no substitute for real human connection when it comes to mental health. By staying curious about how your child is using these platforms and keeping open conversations at home, you can help them navigate the benefits of technology without losing sight of the support that only trusted people can provide.