Artificial intelligence, particularly generative language models, has emerged as a new source of emotional support among young people. A survey conducted in the United States in 2025 with 1,058 individuals aged 12 to 21 revealed that 13 percent of teenagers turned to AI for advice during times of distress, anger, or anxiety. This figure rises to 22 percent among those aged 18 to 21.
The Superiority of AI in Providing Emotional Responses
Various experiences conducted by research teams from the University of Manchester and Durham indicate that individuals have rated AI responses as stronger emotional support compared to human responses in some cases. In one experiment, 390 participants responded to different emotional scenarios, and in instances where feelings of anger and fear were present, AI responses were rated as more supportive.
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Reasons for Young People's Preference for AI
One reason for this superiority may relate to the consistency and structure of AI responses. These systems can respond quickly and systematically, while humans may hesitate in expressing their emotions. Additionally, AI typically offers specific and practical suggestions that help individuals take necessary actions.
Although AI can be beneficial in providing emotional support, this type of support cannot replace human interactions. Results indicate that individuals still prefer human interactions when seeking emotional support and feel that human responses hold greater value. This is due to the presence of close relationships and prior acquaintances, which are very effective in emotional support.
Research has also shown that emotional support from humans can enhance the quality of relationships and create greater satisfaction among individuals. Overall, emotional support through AI can be considered a complementary tool, but the need for human connections and support from others remains vital.
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