Chinese Youth Flock to AI Chatbots for Mental Health Support as Traditional Therapy Remains Costly and Scarce
Summary
Chinese youth increasingly turn to AI chatbots like DeepSeek and Doubao for mental health support as traditional therapy remains costly and inaccessible, with nearly half using AI for psychological discussions despite risks including inappropriate crisis responses and potential social isolation.
Key Points
- Young people in China are turning to AI chatbots like DeepSeek and Doubao for mental health support, with nearly half of surveyed youth using AI to discuss mental health issues as traditional therapy remains expensive and scarce
- Chinese startups and tech giants are launching specialized mental health AI platforms to meet growing demand, with over a dozen mental health-related AI systems approved in China's algorithm registry
- AI therapy chatbots pose risks including inappropriate responses to suicidal thoughts and potential social isolation, while regulatory frameworks lag behind the technology's rapid adoption