Gagarin1961 t1_jbylg97 wrote on March 12, 2023 at 6:54 PM

Reply to comment by petrichoring in ChatGPT or similar AI as a confidant for teenagers by demauroy

I don’t think OP is saying the AI is a good replacement for therapists, they’re saying it’s a decent replacement for having no option to talk things out.

Not every problem needs to be addressed by a licensed therapist either. I would say most don’t.

For any serious issue, charGPT constantly recommends contacting a professional therapist.

petrichoring t1_jbys7al wrote on March 12, 2023 at 7:41 PM

If a teen feels like they have no options for support besides a chatbot, that itself is an indicator of underlying life stressors.

Curious what problems in a child’s life you think wouldn’t be helped with support by a therapist?

StruggleBus619 t1_jc0m856 wrote on March 13, 2023 at 4:00 AM

The thing with therapist support for teens is that it requires the teen to have to go to their parents and ask to be taken to a therapist (not to mention the cost of the therapist). A teen having an AI bot trained on things therapists do/say and techniques they use could give teens an outlet for issues that they benefit from simply venting or talking out, but aren't serious enough to have to go through all the steps and vulnerability/exposing yourself needed when it comes to asking parents to take you to a therapist.

demauroy OP t1_jc0wx77 wrote on March 13, 2023 at 5:56 AM

That is exactly what I have in mind.

demauroy OP t1_jc0wuy2 wrote on March 13, 2023 at 5:55 AM

I am not sure I am thinking about the situation of no support, more like sometimes it is good for a teenager to have advice from a trusted adult in addition / complement to the advice from parents, teachers, and friends, all of them having specific bias. It may not be huge distress situations, but more like getting advice on the daily frustrations and fears of teenage life.

Now, why not therapists ? Let's talk straight here: if you can afford it, that is very nice probably.

I am not sure how a teenager would perceive it though. Here in France, there is stigma associated to going to see a therapist / psychiatric doctor, especially for young people (like not being able to manage your own mental health). I think this stigma is unfair as many people have indeed problems and later in their life get mood-altering drugs (I think we are world champions in France for that).

Also, this would be a significant expense that would need to be arbitrated against other activities (sport...), holidays, saving from the studies...