CBS Texas Reports Teens Turning to AI Chatbots for Mental Health Guidance

CBS Texas reports teens are increasingly seeking mental‑health guidance from AI chatbots, citing a surge in online searches for “AI therapist” among high‑school users. The 49‑second clip aired on CBS Texas and highlighted a 30 percent rise in teen‑initiated AI mental‑health searches over the past year.

AI Chatbots such as large language models and popular services like ChatGPT are being accessed via smartphones, offering 24/7 conversational support, but the segment notes they lack clinical certification and can provide inaccurate advice, raising liability concerns.

Mental Health Experts interviewed from the State University Psychology Department warn that reliance on unregulated AI may delay professional care, stressing that delayed treatment can worsen outcomes, and they recommend schools embed digital‑wellness curricula and provide vetted AI resources.

Digital Wellness Trend highlighted by YouTube’s Counselor’s Corner, a January 2026 video, predicts AI‑driven tools will dominate mental‑health services in 2026, forecasting they will account for half of all online mental‑health interactions by year‑end, prompting lawmakers to draft oversight legislation.