An American Psychology Association study of licensed psychologists in 2026 found out that more than 70% of their patients use AI Bots as additional mental health professional. APA subsequently issued guidelines for navigating AI generated advice thoughtfully and safely. Some points from the guide include; AI tends to agree with you, it is designed to reinforce our perspective rather than challenge it; AI can sound confident even when it is wrong, and AI answers are based on language patterns, and not on understanding our personal context, and such advise does not have clinical judgement of a mental health professional.
Widespread AI usage as a 3 AM friend may be examined for its sanity, authenticity and usefulness. People are turning to AI for counselling and emotional support in domains that include workplace issues, personal relationships, marriages, life, frustrations and depression. Use of AI for emotional support is gaining ground as our core social connections dry up. Unlike our human connections, the bots never miss our call. They are available instantly, hear one out politely, and express high empathy. Having said that, let us be reminded that they are programmed to show validation rather than contradicting and confronting. For example, someone talking about their horrible boss could be empathetically advised to quit before getting fired; suicidal thoughts could be empathetically encouraged to the final act and so on.
There are early reports of ChatBot encouraged self harm by adolescent and young adults. A mother in USA Megan Garcia filed a lawsuit against Character.AI after her 14 year old son committed suicide. The inquiry following the sad incident revealed threads of the last words exchanged between the boy and the bot. Before taking his life, the boy reportedly typed I am coming home. How strange does it sound that a very young person full of promise, is leaning on to a screen and tech to navigate life? Role models, friends, familial authority all zoomed out; one blinking screen and the silence of being alone. Locked rooms, uncommunicative youngsters, and social anxiety; may not always be teenage tantrums.
It is little surprise therefore that some of the governments are gearing up to take a call on the social media access for young children. Australia took the initiative of banning social media for the youngsters under 16 years of age; while some others are contemplating to do so. Digital detox is voluntary; digital disconnect is a familial/societal/governance approach to address and course correct. The success of such measures, however, is difficult to predict at this stage. What interventions will work in fostering responsible AI usage, particularly promoting the limitations of AI advice on matters of heart and life? Who shall we hold accountable? How do we protect those at risk? what programs and policy interventions are urgently required?
I look forward to hearing from you on the emerging perils of AI usage by adolescents and young adults in particular. This group incidentally seeks emotional support from AI more than older adults. What must change>
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What a great Insight. At least someone started to look at this connect between the tech and young minds with a whole different view.
But respectfully ma’am, how does AI become responsible for this? Just an opinion, that like all the evils of society exist and it is upto our discretion as to what and what not we choose and connect to.
The wiser ones, do however play a role, as usual, in guiding and nurturing the young and impressionable minds to develop and exercise that discretion.
Otherwise, a tyre was made to make a larger body move more easily, but it might just be another play toy in unguided hands
Digital disconnect through familial, schools, and other possible institutions; and a supportive policy environment may help. More than anything dialogue at all levels and experience sharing may flag the damage non-judicious use of tech at hand can do. The reason I started this blog is to do just this. Raise questions, present data points, and flag the concerns that need to be worked upon by continuous and tireless dialogue.
This is a great read with insights
Thanks Rajat. The idea is to bring loneliness, mental health, and social isolation on the table for open dialogue.
Different kinds of drugs are readily available in the society. Alcohol, cigarettes, and tobacco are legally available, while illegal drugs continue to circulate despite strict laws. Similarly, other harmful influences also exist in society. Simply banning something has never been a complete solution.
AI is just another tool. Like any powerful technology, it can be used for good or misused. The real solution lies in creating awareness and inculcating the right values through family, society, and education. Parents have a crucial role in teaching children how to use AI responsibly, ethically, and productively.
Our education system also needs to evolve so that students learn not only how to use AI, but also its limitations, ethical implications, and the importance of critical thinking. Unfortunately, I do not see enough emphasis on these aspects. Instead, I believe many schools and colleges are increasingly distracted by ideological debates rather than focusing on equipping students with the practical skills and values they need to use emerging technologies responsibly.
completely agree Amrendra. like I said policy and process level interventions and introspection is required by all who claim to be the custodians of the future.