A University of Ottawa study surveyed nearly 40,000 youth in Ontario and found that one in five had turned to AI chatbots for mental health advice. Experts say chatbots can fill a gap, but the lack of regulation — and of real human empathy — are cause for concern.
As more teens turn to AI for emotional support, experts say it’s no substitute for human connection
Sep 1, 2026 | 4:00 AM