Original report shows more than half of teens turn to chatbots when struggling emotionally,
but very few think of that as getting help.

NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — More than half of middle and high school students use AI when feeling sad, stressed, lonely, or overwhelmed, and certain uses of AI are associated with significantly poorer mental health and greater histories of suicidal thoughts and attempts, according to new research released today by The Jed Foundation (JED).

The report, Exploring Artificial Intelligence [AI]: Understanding Relationships between AI Use and Mental Health Among Middle and High School Students, examines responses between October 2025 and April 2026 from more than 5,500 middle and high school students across 21 U.S. schools enrolled in JED’s programs. Developed with input from the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital and funded by the Nielsen Foundation, the research is among the first to examine relationships between young people’s AI use and their mental health, well-being, and history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Data were collected on how and why these teens use AI — including whether they use it for emotional support — and their mental health and well-being, including recent symptoms of anxiety and depression, loneliness, and history of suicidal thoughts and attempts. 

“What stands out in these findings is not just how often teens are using AI, but also its role in their emotional lives. This warrants careful attention from the many stakeholders deploying these tools at a rapid pace as well as from policymakers who can help build the guardrails to protect youth mental health,” said Dr. Kayla Anderson, JED’s vice president of research and evaluation and the report’s author. “While AI may offer youth an immediate and accessible outlet, it cannot replicate the developmental, protective, and necessary benefits of human connection.”

Key findings include:

1. Students use AI for a wide range of cognitive and emotional supports, including for help with schoolwork (58%), when sad, stressed, lonely, or overwhelmed (57%), for relationship or problem-solving advice (28%), and for friendship and companionship (12%).
2. Certain uses of AI are associated with worse mental health and well-being outcomes, and greater lifetime history of suicidal thoughts and attempts. For example: 
   • Students who used AI for homework had higher levels of loneliness and history of suicidal thoughts.
   • Students who used AI for relationship or problem-solving advice had greater symptoms of anxiety and depression, loneliness, and history of suicidal thoughts.
   • Students who used AI for friendship or companionship had greater symptoms of anxiety and depression, loneliness, and history of suicidal thoughts and attempts.
3. Students who use AI while emotionally struggling have worse mental health and well-being outcomes, and greater history of suicidal thoughts and attempts.
4. Patterns of AI use differ across demographics, with important implications for mental health disparities. Middle schoolers, females, and many youth from historically marginalized groups (American Indian or Alaska Native, Black, Hispanic, and multiracial students) were more likely to use AI when emotionally struggling compared to high schoolers, males, and white students.

These findings make clear that many young people turn to AI during moments of real emotional need — and that how they use it is deeply connected to their mental health and well-being. Human connection must remain central: AI should never be positioned as a substitute for trusted adults, and responsible AI design must prioritize recognizing distress in youth and connecting them to real support, not replacing it. JED is committed to leading this work.

The report also includes recommendations for the AI and technology industry, policymakers, youth-serving professionals, and parents and caregivers to help translate these findings into action. Download the full report and tips here. 

About The Jed Foundation
JED is committed to protecting emotional health and preventing suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. JED partners with high schools, colleges, school districts, and youth-serving community-based organizations to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. JED equips teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other, and encourages community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.

Connect with JED: Email | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Snapchat | YouTube 

Media Contact
Justin Barbo
PR Director
The Jed Foundation (JED)
justin@jedfoundation.org

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SOURCE The Jed Foundation