Experts Warn Against Relying Too Much on AI Chatbots for Emotional Support

Growing numbers of young people are turning to artificial intelligence chatbots for emotional support, raising concerns among experts about self-trust, emotional resilience, and personal relationships. While these tools provide an easy and non-judgmental space to express feelings, relying on them for every tough conversation or personal choice can stop people from learning key emotional skills.

Expert Insights and Risks

Prakriti Saxena Poddar, a clinically trained mental health and wellbeing expert and global head at Roundglass, warns that repeatedly turning to chatbots for reassurance can actually feed anxiety. An anxious mind seeks certainty, and while a chatbot's answer can temporarily calm the nervous system, the doubt often returns louder, leading people right back to the tool. She notes that emotional resilience grows through everyday friction, such as solving arguments, making independent choices, and sitting with uncomfortable feelings. Real relationships involve shared experiences, accountability, and co-regulation, where human nervous systems settle in the company of someone who truly cares.

Healthy Boundaries and Usage

Prakriti recommends treating AI as a tool for reflection rather than letting it make personal choices or replace human bonds. Users should ask AI to help organise thoughts or explore missing perspectives instead of telling them what to do. Warning signs of an unhealthy reliance include asking the same questions repeatedly, consulting AI before every small decision, feeling more anxious afterward, or choosing chatbots over real people. For parents and teachers, she advises approaching young people's AI use with curiosity rather than punishment, such as asking what they discuss with the bot.

Context

In India, people facing persistent low mood, panic, trauma, or thoughts of self-help can reach out to Tele-MANAS, which offers free, round-the-clock mental health support at the helpline number 14416. Experts generally advise that while technology can assist with daily organisation and structured thinking, deep emotional growth requires real-world human connections and the courage to navigate difficult personal feelings independently.