"Hey Bestie, I need advice": Teens swap therapists for ChatGPT

"Experts warn of dangers as England and Wales study shows 13- to 17-year-olds consulting AI amid long waiting lists for services"

Waitlists for mental health services are so long that teenagers are taking matters into their own hands—or rather, their phones.

A shocking new report from the Youth Endowment Fund shows:

• 1 in 4 teens (13-17) use AI chatbots for mental health support.
• 40% of teens affected by violence prefer AI to humans.
• Black teenagers are 2x as likely to use AI for support than white teenagers.

The Driver: It’s not just about cool tech. It’s about trust. Teens cite fear of judgment and "snitching" (therapists telling parents or police) as key reasons for choosing bots. As one teen put it: "Chat will talk back to me like it’s my best friend."

The Danger: Experts warn that LLMs aren't designed for crisis care, and without regulation, vulnerable kids are relying on unproven tech for life-saving advice.

By the Dr.Oath