88% students turn to AI tools like ChatGPT to manage stress: Study

At least 88 per cent of school students now turn to Artificial Intelligence (AI) when they feel stressed or anxious. A new survey says the emotional reliance is highest among teenagers, especially those in the 13-18 age group.

The findings go deeper. Fifty-seven per cent of young Indians admitted they use AI for emotional support, confiding in it when they feel lonely, anxious, or in need of advice.

The survey, titled Are You There, AI?, was conducted by Youth Ki Awaaz (YKA) in partnership with Youth Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC). Responses were collected in June 2025 from 506 participants across India, using a digital-first approach.

The web survey reached young people through social media, education networks, and youth organisations, drawing insights from the 13–35 age group. Its purpose was to capture how Indian youth are engaging with AI, not just



as a tool for productivity but increasingly as a companion in moments of stress.

The findings show that 57 per cent of young Indians actively use AI for emotional support, whether for advice, casual conversations, or expressing thoughts they would not share with others.

The trend is strongest among teenagers, especially in the 13-18 age group.

ChatGPT emerged as the most preferred AI platform for these interactions, ahead of other tools like Google’s Gemini or Character.AI. The survey noted a clear gender divide: 52 per cent of young women reported sharing personal thoughts with AI, compared to about half that figure among young men.

In smaller towns, reliance on AI for emotional expression was even more pronounced. Around 43 per cent of respondents from non-metro cities admitted using AI to confide in, outpacing their metropolitan peers.