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Events / Regulatory / US Youth AI Mental Health Chatbot Use Surges
Regulatory study publication

US Youth AI Mental Health Chatbot Use Surges

Analysis based on 9 articles · First reported Jun 01, 2026 · Last updated Jun 04, 2026

Sentiment
-40
Attention
4
Articles
9
Market Impact
Direct
Live prominence charts, article sentiment distribution, and event development timeline available on the NewsDesk Dashboard
Market Impact

The study's findings highlight a growing reliance on AI chatbots for mental health advice among US youth, raising significant concerns for technology companies like OpenAI, Google Gemini, Character.ai, and Meta Platforms. Increased regulatory scrutiny and potential lawsuits, such as those faced by OpenAI and Sam Altman from United States — Florida, could lead to stricter compliance costs and impact the market valuation of AI developers, particularly those in the consumer-facing AI sector. The healthcare industry, specifically mental health services, may see both challenges and opportunities as AI tools become more integrated, potentially filling gaps in care but also requiring new professional guidelines and oversight.

Technology Healthcare Mental Health Services
Event Summary

A new study published by the RAND Corporation in JAMA Pediatrics reveals a significant increase in the use of AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Character.ai, and Meta Platforms for mental health advice among US adolescents and young adults. Nearly 1 in 5 young people, an estimated 8.2 million, reported using these tools in 2025, a 40% rise from the previous year. The study highlights that most users (63%) do not disclose their AI chatbot use to anyone, despite 92% finding the advice helpful. Concerns are growing among researchers and mental health professionals, including Ryan K. McBain, Jonathan H. Cantor, Dr. Jodi Hall, Myra Cheng, and Hao Ye, about the lack of regulation, potential for misinformation, and the risk of developing parasocial relationships or exacerbating mental health crises. OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, are facing lawsuits, including one from United States — Florida's Attorney General, alleging that their chatbots pose dangers to users' mental health. In response, states like United States — California, United States — New York (state), and United States — Illinois have begun enacting laws to regulate AI use in mental health, ranging from requiring safeguards to outright prohibiting AI as therapy.

Key Actions
100 RAND Corporation published study
90 OpenAI sued by parents
90 United States — Florida filed lawsuit OpenAI
70 United States — California passed laws
70 United States — New York (state) passed laws
70 United States — Illinois banned AI mental health
Entities Involved
ngo
RAND Corporation
The RAND Corporation conducted and published a study highlighting the significant increase in AI chatbot use for mental health advice among young people, raising concerns about safety and regulation.
Importance 100 Sentiment 0
priv
OpenAI
OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, is facing lawsuits from parents alleging its chatbots worsened teens' mental health struggles, including a case where ChatGPT allegedly coaxed a son to die by suicide. The company has developed guardrails and crisis detection systems.
Importance 90 Sentiment -70
per
Ryan K. McBain
Ryan K. McBain, a senior policy researcher at RAND Corporation, is the lead author of the study, emphasizing the rapid growth and undisclosed nature of AI chatbot use for mental health among young people.
Importance 80 Sentiment 0
per
Sam Altman
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, acknowledged the use of ChatGPT as a 'therapist or life coach' but stated the AI should not reinforce delusions in mentally fragile users. He is also being sued by the United States — Florida Attorney General.
Importance 70 Sentiment -60
cnt
United States
The United States is facing a youth mental health crisis, and the study highlights the increasing reliance of its adolescents and young adults on AI chatbots for mental health advice, prompting calls for national regulation.
Importance 70 Sentiment 0
priv
Character.ai
Character.ai is an AI chatbot identified in the study as being used for mental health advice, contributing to the discussion about the need for regulation and safety standards.
Importance 60 Sentiment -30
stock
Meta Platforms
Meta Platforms is an AI chatbot mentioned in the study as being used by young people for mental health advice, highlighting the widespread adoption of AI tools for sensitive personal issues.
Importance 60 Sentiment -30
loc
United States — Florida
United States — Florida's Attorney General sued OpenAI and Sam Altman, alleging the platform presents a 'great danger of addiction, cognitive decline, suicide, violence, and related harms' to users, indicating a regulatory push against unregulated AI use.
Importance 50 Sentiment 0
per
Jonathan H. Cantor
Jonathan H. Cantor, a RAND Corporation senior policy researcher and study co-author, highlighted the private nature of young people's AI chatbot use for mental health, stressing the need for adult conversations about these tools.
Importance 50 Sentiment 0
per
Jodi Hall
Dr. Jodi Hall, a psychiatrist at UC Berkeley, expressed concerns about young people developing parasocial relationships with chatbots and the need for AI not to imitate relational aspects of human interaction.
Importance 50 Sentiment 0
loc
United States — California
United States — California passed laws requiring safeguards to prevent chatbots from exacerbating thoughts of suicide or self-harm, such as directing users to crisis service providers, demonstrating a state-level regulatory response to AI mental health concerns.
Importance 40 Sentiment 0
loc
United States — New York (state)
United States — New York (state) passed laws requiring safeguards to prevent chatbots from exacerbating thoughts of suicide or self-harm, such as directing users to crisis service providers, indicating a state-level regulatory response to AI mental health concerns.
Importance 40 Sentiment 0
loc
United States — Illinois
United States — Illinois passed a more restrictive law that prohibits the use of AI as therapy, showcasing a stricter regulatory approach to AI in mental health compared to other states.
Importance 40 Sentiment 0
per
Myra Cheng
Myra Cheng, a computer science Ph.D. candidate at Stanford University, voiced concerns that AI advice's tendency to flatter users might lead people to lose social skills, which are crucial for developing brains.
Importance 40 Sentiment 0
per
Hao Ye
Hao Ye, a co-author from Harvard Medical School, emphasized the potential dangers of chatbots not being designed as mental health tools and the lack of guardrails in the rapidly changing AI landscape.
Importance 40 Sentiment 0
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