88% students turn to AI during stress, survey finds

A recent survey has unveiled that a staggering 88% of school students are turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a source of comfort during times of stress and anxiety. The study, which highlights the emotional dependence of teenagers—particularly those aged 13 to 18—on AI, indicates that 57% of young Indians utilize AI for emotional support, reaching out for advice or companionship when feeling overwhelmed or lonely. Conducted by Youth Ki Awaaz (YKA) in collaboration with Youth Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC), the survey titled "Are You There, AI?" gathered responses from 506 participants across India in June 2025. The digital-first survey aimed to explore how the youth engage with AI for emotional assistance, utilizing social media and educational networks to ensure a wide range of perspectives from individuals aged 13 to 35. The findings reveal that ChatGPT is the leading AI tool among users seeking emotional support, significantly outpacing rivals like Gemini and Character.AI. Notably, 52% of young women reported sharing personal thoughts with AI, a figure that is twice as high as that of young men. The study also showed that 43% of youth from smaller towns engage with AI for personal sharing, suggesting a deeper emotional connection in these areas compared to metropolitan regions. While 67% of AI users express concerns over social isolation, and 58% worry about privacy implications, the survey suggests that young Indians are navigating a complex emotional landscape. "Even as they use it, young individuals remain cautious of AI's potential to exacerbate feelings of loneliness or misuse their personal information," the report states. The Youth Pulse survey emphasizes that AI is not a replacement for human emotional support, but rather a tool that addresses long-standing gaps in emotional communication. "Young Indians are carving out a new emotional landscape where AI serves as a confidant for thoughts too sensitive for family chats or too awkward for friends," the report concludes. This highlights the evolving role of AI in mental health and emotional well-being among the youth today.