A quarter of Portuguese teenagers use ChatGPT for support and emotional counseling, comparing the experience to a friendship. Portugal is among the European countries where young people most resort to Artificial Intelligence to vent and ask for advice on personal and emotional issues.
The phenomenon raises concerns among specialists and parents, who question whether AI assistants are suitable to provide psychological support to teenagers, considering issues of safety, privacy and the capacity of these tools to handle sensitive situations.
On social media, the exposure of young people to hate speech, conspiracy theories and violent content is increasing significantly, which further boosts the demand for alternative spaces for venting and guidance.
This trend emerges in a broader context of digital transformation, where teenagers increasingly seek answers and support in online environments, often preferring interactions with technology rather than with adults or professionals.
