Orlando, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — A recent study found that 44 percent of Gen Z-ers use TikTok and 49 percent use Instagram. And despite understanding the potential negative impact of social media on their mental well-being, a significant number are turning to these platforms for help instead of trained professionals. Now a new digital frontier has emerged, artificial intelligence, AI, chatbots promising mental health support.
It’s quick, available 24/7 and you don’t even need to leave your home, but is it safe to get mental health help from AI chatbots? This mother claims that the company did not put adequate safety measures on the character AI bot to get her son the help he needed.
“AI cannot assess risk and cannot give the kind of support or listening ear that a person can give,” said Kathleen McHugh, Psychologist.
McHugh understands the factors driving teenagers toward these digital alternatives.
“Teenagers, you know, may not always feel like they can talk to their parents about it,” said McHugh.
The promise of anonymity and round-the-clock availability offered by AI and even some social media platforms can be powerfully enticing for struggling teens.
“Sometimes I will give people a recommendation for an app that they can use for mindfulness. And then they bring it into the session, and then we go over that together,” explained McHugh.
Apps like Wysa provide tools based on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness. Others, such as Youper, aim to personalize support, adapting to the user’s emotional state.
But for those facing a mental health emergency, the message is clear: technology can be a tool, but it should never replace the expertise and empathy of a trained professional.
If you or a loved one is in a crisis, you can call or text 988, the free Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. All conversations are confidential and there are specific lines for Spanish, American sign language, veteran specific and LGBTQ plus help.
Contributors to this news report include: Marcy Wilder, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor.
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Sources:
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/30/tech/teen-suicide-character-ai-lawsuit/index.html
