Researchers interviewed 30 participants aged 14 to 22, including a significant cohort of LGBTQ+ youth and young people of color. The study identified six primary drivers for this shift. Teens cited a desire to avoid the "burden" of sharing trauma with loved ones and a preference for the judgment-free environment an AI provides. Users reported that chatbots offer constant availability, actionable advice, and a neutral perspective that feels safer than the complex dynamics of human relationships.

Emma Bruehlman-Senecal, Research Principal at Hopelab, emphasized that these insights must inform how families, schools, and mental health systems support adolescents. Rather than viewing this as a rejection of human connection, Dr. Emily Weinstein, co-director of the Center for Digital Thriving, noted that young people are often protecting their existing relationships or seeking support where it is currently unavailable. The report argues that policymakers and educators should focus on making human support systems more consistent and accessible, ensuring that AI complements, rather than replaces, meaningful human interaction.