If you’ve watched your teen go down the rabbit hole with Claude, ChatGPT or any other AI technology and worried that maybe they are a little too emotionally cozy with their bot, you may have questions:
How much “talking” to AI is healthy?
Is AI a good source of emotional support for my child, or a dangerous one?
What signs should I watch for that my child is not OK or that AI is negatively influencing their mental health?
A dramatic increase
Clearly, you are not alone with your questions or concerns.
A nationally representative study published in JAMA Pediatrics in June found that:
- 19.2% of Americans ages 12–21 reported having used an AI chatbot for mental-health advice in 2025—about 8.2 million young people.
- That was up from 13.1% in a similar survey one year earlier, an increase of nearly 50%.
- Among users, 42.8% sought chatbot advice at least monthly.
- 91.7% considered the advice somewhat or very helpful.
- Nearly two-thirds—63.3%—had not told anyone they were using chatbots for mental-health advice.
Join the discussion
The Seattle Times’ Mental Health Project and Education Lab invites you to join a discussion about AI and youth, focusing on how kids are using the technology and what parents need to know about AI’s potential impact on teens’ mental health.
The discussion, which will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 22 will include expert panelists:
Alexis Hiniker is an associate professor of Human-Computer Interaction at the University of Washington Information School. Hiniker studies how technology can help young people thrive.
Grin Lord is founder and CEO of mpathic.ai, a Seattle-based AI safety company dedicated to improving the quality and safety of human-AI conversations.
Rio Hindami is a behavioral healthcare coordinator for two school-based health clinics operated by Seattle Roots Community Health in Seattle Public Schools.
The details
- What: Have questions about how AI is affecting kids?
- When: Tuesday, Sept. 22
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Seattle Central College’s Broadway Performance Hall on Capitol Hill, 1625 Broadway Ave., in Seattle
- Cost: The event is free but registration is required.
- Register: Click here to register.
Submit your questions: If you plan to go and have specific questions you want answered, you can submit them to the panelists before the event. They aren’t guaranteed to be addressed, but your questions may become part of the discussion. Fill out this form to submit your questions.
