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[WASHINGTON, D.C., July 23, 2026] \u2014 Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how young people learn, communicate, seek support, and navigate everyday challenges. AI chatbots and tools are becoming an increasingly common part of daily life for young people, offering everything from academic assistance and creative collaboration, to social interaction and emotional support. While many young people report positive experiences with these technologies, there is growing concern about their impact on mental health, development, and well-being.<\/p>\n
On July 21, The Jed Foundation (JED)<\/a>, a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults nationwide, gathered 150 congressional staff, policymakers, youth advocates, researchers, and mental health leaders for a bipartisan briefing on Capitol Hill, \u201cNavigating AI: Youth Perspectives, Mental Health, and Public Policy.\u201d The briefing provided a preview of findings from original JED research \u2013 expected to be released this fall \u2013 led by Dr. Kayla Anderson, JED\u2019s vice president of research and evaluation.<\/p>\n Between October 2025 \u2013 April 2026, JED collected data from more than 5,500 middle and high school students across 21 U.S. schools and school districts enrolled in JED\u2019s programs<\/a> about how they use artificial intelligence (AI). Key findings include:<\/p>\n AI use is very common: 4 in 5 students used some type of AI.<\/p>\n Some students use AI in ways that replace human interaction or support: While more than half of students use AI for academics, nearly one third of students use AI for relationship or problem-solving advice and more than one in ten talk to AI for companionship.\u00a0<\/p>\n Many students turn to AI when experiencing difficult emotions: Nearly 3 in 5 students used AI when they felt sad, stressed, or lonely. AI use has potentially profound implications for mental health, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors: Students who used AI for emotional or mental health support, for problem-solving advice, when experiencing difficult emotions, or for companionship were more likely to have poorer mental health, were more lonely, and had a greater history of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.<\/p>\n \u201cAI is already deeply embedded in how young people learn, build relationships, solve problems, and seek support, and JED\u2019s preliminary findings underscore the urgency of understanding what that means for their mental health,\u201d said Dr. Zainab Okolo, JED\u2019s senior vice president of policy, advocacy, and government relations. \u201cUnlike many adults who remember life before constant digital connection, today\u2019s young people are growing up with AI as an increasingly intimate part of their social, academic, and emotional lives. Their experiences and perspectives must therefore be central to the policies governing these technologies.\u201d<\/p>\n The briefing was led by Dr. Okolo with keynote addresses from JED CEO John MacPhee and Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, principal deputy assistant secretary for health policy and director of national health communications in the office of the Surgeon General. Dr. Haridopolos shared her office\u2019s most recent Warning on the Harms of Screen Use<\/a>, which addresses emerging concerns about how children are interacting with chatbots.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are calling for urgent action to protect children at home, in schools, and across platforms,\u201d said Dr. Haridopolos. \u201cKids are growing up in digital spaces that were never designed for their safety, and these online experiences are shaping how they think, feel, and interact in real life. We want children to live real life, not be pulled into harmful environments online. The recently released Surgeon General\u2019s Warning on the Harms of Screen Use gives families and communities the guidance they need. History will judge us not only by the steps we took, but by the inaction we allowed.\u201d<\/p>\n Panelist Hanae Noirbent, a member of JED\u2019s Youth Advisory Council (YAC), shared her perspective on how youth can be protected from potential harms posed by AI. \u201cYouth are already interacting with AI on a day-to-day basis,\u201d she said. \u201cWe want guardrails implemented that will protect us from the clear risks presented by AI-powered algorithms and generative AI platforms such as chatbots. We also know that there\u2019s a real opportunity for AI to serve as an educational support tool, and even as a tool that directs us to lifesaving resources such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.\u201d<\/p>\n Other panelists included Allie Maloney, policy analyst at Americans for Responsible Innovation, Blake Hurst, JED YAC member and student at University of Notre Dame, and Bhavani Kola, department chair at Tarrant County College and founder and CEO of Eclatech Solutions. They discussed how states are responding to these technologies, opportunities and risks for youth mental health and well-being, and considerations for future federal policymaking.<\/p>\n This is the second AI-focused briefing hosted by The Jed Foundation since they published recommendations for policymakers and tech companies<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n View photos of the event<\/a>. To learn more about JED\u2019s policy, advocacy, and government relations work, visit JED\u2019s website<\/a>. ### About The Jed Foundation<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\n Connect with JED: Email<\/a> | LinkedIn<\/a> | Instagram<\/a> | Facebook<\/a> | TikTok<\/a> | Snapchat<\/a> | YouTube<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Media Contact
\nAI use differs by age and geography: High school students and rural students were more likely to use AI overall. Middle school students and urban students were more likely to use AI specifically when they were sad, stressed, or lonely.<\/p>\n
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JED is committed to protecting emotional health and preventing suicide for our nation\u2019s teens and young adults. JED partners with high schools, colleges, school districts, and youth-serving community-based organizations to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. JED equips teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other, and encourages community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.<\/p>\n
Justin Barbo
PR Director
The Jed Foundation
justin@jedfoundation.org\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n