Youth Mental Health and Conversational AI: AI Use for Emotional Support "In the Wild"

A version of this video with audio description track is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ8hecTyefE Youth mental health is increasingly shaped by how teens use AI for emotional support outside clinical care. Cinnamon Bloss, Ph.D., UC San Diego, explains how growing use of conversational AI reflects major gaps in care and changing preferences for support. Bloss examines the appeal of AI’s accessibility and nonjudgmental responses, concerns about replacing human connection, and the need to monitor harms, helping clarify how AI fits into a fast-changing mental health landscape. She also points to the importance of listening to young people, improving AI credibility and transparency, expanding safety and privacy discussions in schools, and preparing clinicians and online safety workers for this new reality. This work helps explain why teens are turning to AI and points toward a more thoughtful balance between safety and access to mental health support. Recorded on 01/30/2026. [5/2026] [Show ID: 41366] Donate to UCTV to support informative & inspiring programming: https://www.uctv.tv/donate Please Note: Knowledge about health and medicine is constantly evolving. This information may become out of date. More videos from: Considering the Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of AI: From Research to Healthcare Implementation (https://www.uctv.tv/ai-healthcare) Explore More Health & Medicine on UCTV (https://www.uctv.tv/health) UCTV features the latest in health and medicine from University of California medical schools. Find the information you need on cancer, transplantation, obesity, disease and much more. Explore More Science & Technology on UCTV (https://www.uctv.tv/science) Science and technology continue to change our lives. University of California scientists are tackling the important questions like climate change, evolution, oceanography, neuroscience and the potential of stem cells. UCTV is the broadcast and online media platform of the University of California, featuring programming from its ten campuses, three national labs and affiliated research institutions. UCTV explores a broad spectrum of subjects for a general audience, including science, health and medicine, public affairs, humanities, arts and music, business, education, and agriculture. Launched in January 2000, UCTV embraces the core missions of the University of California -- teaching, research, and public service – by providing quality, in-depth television far beyond the campus borders to inquisitive viewers around the world. (https://www.uctv.tv)