Some AI Mental Health Apps Are Risky — Here is What to Know

Some AI apps say they help with feelings. Some are okay for small stuff. Some have caused real harm — including a few that gave dangerous advice. Always tell a real adult about big feelings.

Some examples

• Some apps cannot tell when a kid is in crisis (and miss warning signs).
• Some apps give bad advice (like saying 'just stop feeling that way').
• Some apps collect lots of personal data without parents knowing.
• Real help: school counselor, parent, doctor, 988 hotline (call or text).

Try it!

Pick the trusted adult you would talk to about hard feelings. Tell them today: 'You are who I would talk to.' Now the path is open.

Practice this safely

Use a real but low-risk workflow from your day. Treat AI as a drafting and organizing layer, then verify the output before anyone relies on it.

1. 1Ask AI to explain mental health apps in plain language, then underline anything that sounds uncertain or too broad.
2. 2Give it one detail from "Some AI Mental Health Apps Are Risky — Here is What to Know" and ask for two possible next steps plus one reason each step might be wrong.
3. 3Check warnings against a trusted source, teacher, adult, expert, or original document before you use it.