Schools across the US are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to monitor students' mental health, with platforms like Alongside used by over 200 schools. The tool alerts counsellors when students may be at risk of harming themselves or others, based on their chat interactions.
In Putnam County, Florida, middle school counsellor Brittani Phillips received a severe alert for an eighth-grader one evening. She contacted the student's mother and the police, and the student is now in ninth grade and well. Phillips says the interaction built trust with the family.
Alongside, which has been used by Phillips's district for three years, features a chatbot called Kiwi that teaches resilience. Company representatives say it provides critical mental health resources to schools with limited staff, particularly in rural areas. At least nine companies have received funding for similar tools since 2022.
However, concerns are growing. Some parents, educators, and lawmakers worry about increased screen time and students forming emotional attachments to AI. A recent survey found that 20% of high schoolers have used AI romantically or know someone who has. Proposed federal law would require AI companies to remind students that chatbots are not real people.
Despite these concerns, school counsellors say students often find it easier to confide in AI. Sarah Caliboso-Soto, a clinical social worker, notes that speaking to a human can be intimidating for adolescents. Linda Charmaraman of Wellesley Centers for Women adds that chatbots are available without the need for appointments and allow students to avoid facial expressions that might carry judgment.
