Health

Would you entrust a child’s life to a chatbot? That’s what happens every day that we fail to regulate AI | Gaby Hinsliff

December 9, 2025

A significant number of teenagers in England and Wales are turning to AI chatbots for mental health support, with one in four 13- to 17-year-olds having sought advice from these digital platforms. This trend raises concerns among experts regarding the potential risks associated with relying on unregulated AI for sensitive issues, especially as many young people face long waiting times for traditional mental health services.

Would you entrust a child’s life to a chatbot? That’s what happens every day that we fail to regulate AI | Gaby Hinsliff

Credit: Theguardian

Key Highlights

One in four teenagers aged 13-17 in England and Wales consults chatbots for mental health advice.
Around 40% of affected youths by violence in the same age group are using AI chatbots for support.
Experts warn of dangers associated with unregulated AI use in mental health contexts.
Young people find AI chatbots to be more accessible and less intimidating than traditional services.

Health technology NHS UK news England Society Mental health ChatGPT Children's health Children Artificial intelligence (AI)Young people Chatbots Snapchat Wales

Sources

This quick summary is automatically generated using AI based on reports from multiple news sources. The content has not been reviewed or verified by humans. For complete details, accuracy, and context, please refer to the original published articles.

Would you entrust a child’s life to a chatbot? That’s what happens every day that we fail to regulate AI | Gaby Hinsliff

Key Highlights

Sources

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