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Young Europeans Turn to AI Chatbots for Emotional Support, Survey Finds

The results signal rising reliance on general‑purpose chatbots for private concerns, prompting fresh scrutiny from clinicians, regulators, and families.

Overview

  • The Ipsos BVA poll, released Tuesday, found 51% said it was easy to discuss mental health with a chatbot, compared with 49% for healthcare professionals and 37% for psychologists.
  • Commissioned by France’s privacy watchdog CNIL and insurer Groupe VYV, the survey covered 3,800 people aged 11–25 in France, Germany, Sweden, and Ireland.
  • About 90% had used AI tools before, often citing constant availability and a non‑judgmental tone, and more than three in five described AI as a “life adviser” or a “confidant.”
  • Despite rising chatbot use, young people still turn first to those close to them, with 68% saying friends are easy to talk to and 61% saying the same of parents.
  • The findings sit alongside concern over care quality and safety, as experts warn LLMs struggle to read emotions and a Florida lawsuit accuses Google’s Gemini of fueling paranoia that preceded a man’s suicide.