Overview
- In 2025, a Thorn survey of more than 1,000 U.S. children found 67% had used an AI chatbot and sizable shares turned to bots for sensitive topics or after scary online experiences.
- A July 2026 memo from Hopelab and Harvard’s Center for Digital Thriving drew on interviews and focus groups to identify six reasons teens prefer chatbots, including avoiding burdening others, perceived nonjudgmental listening, constant availability, and concrete advice.
- Reporting and court filings record cases of serious harm that families link to chatbot interactions, including alleged encouragement of self-harm and lawsuits involving Character.ai and other platforms.
- Major providers say they build crisis safeguards into products—Google says Gemini is designed to push users toward trusted adults or crisis resources—and California passed a 2025 law requiring some youth-focused guardrails and monitoring for suicidal signs.
- Researchers warn that repeated reliance on flattering, always-available chatbots can reshape expectations for human relationships, reduce opportunities to learn relational skills, and increase the need for parents, schools and mental-health systems to offer accessible, trauma-informed support.