AI Chatbots Drive Mental Health Concerns as Teens Show Addiction Patterns and Health Anxiety Spirals
More than 987 million people globally now use generative AI chatbots, including 64% of American teens. Recent studies reveal troubling patterns of behavioral addiction, health anxiety spirals, and over-reliance on AI companion chatbots like ChatGPT, Character.AI, and Replika. Researchers warn that what starts as emotional support often evolves into dependency that disrupts sleep, academics, and real-world relationships.