Young people often turn to the internet for support from friends, but the responses aren’t always helpful. Advances in AI technology might offer a solution.

A study by the University of Michigan and Drexel University found that AI-generated responses are supportive for topics like relationships and physical health. However, for sensitive issues such as suicidal thoughts, young people still prefer human responses.

AI support

For years, social media has been a primary platform for peer support among youth. Researchers aimed to explore how AI could aid in these exchanges.

They surveyed 622 people aged 18 to 24 with experience in seeking and giving support online. Participants evaluated responses to help-seeking messages without knowing if they were from humans or AI. The human responses represented support from peers, adult mentors, and therapists.

The study found that participants appreciated AI-generated responses on relationships, self-expression, and physical health, noting they were caring and provided useful advice. However, they favored human responses for sensitive topics like suicidal thoughts.

Safe usage

“This research is crucial to understanding how AI can safely and effectively support young people,” the authors note. “It’s not just about what AI says, but also how it says it. We must be careful in communicating AI’s limitations, especially for sensitive issues.”

Given that young people are online daily, having AI-generated responses as an option could be beneficial in the long run.

“Our research suggests that AI-powered tools may help youth peers support each other during challenging times by helping them figure out what to say,” the authors conclude.