Young people turn to AI for emotional support, but face privacy risks

A global survey of 7,200 people by cybersecurity company Kaspersky shows that Gen Z — people born roughly between 1997 and 2012 — is integrating AI tools much deeper into their daily lives than any other age group. Rather than just using these tools as search engines or productivity helpers, young people are turning to AI chatbots (computer programs designed to chat with you) for emotional support, advice, and companionship.

This shift reveals something important about how younger generations see technology: not just as a tool, but as a confidant. They ask AI for life advice, discuss personal problems, and even seek comfort during tough moments. In many ways, it makes sense — AI is available 24/7, never judges, and won't gossip. But this closeness comes with a serious catch.

The study warns that Gen Z often overlooks the privacy risks involved. Every conversation you have with an AI service is data — information that gets stored, analyzed, and potentially shared or sold. Young people are sharing deeply personal thoughts and feelings with systems they may not fully understand or trust. The companies behind these AI tools collect this data, and it's not always clear how it's being used or who might see it.

The takeaway: while AI can genuinely help people feel less alone, it's crucial to remember that these conversations aren't private in the way chatting with a friend is. Before sharing something deeply personal with an AI, it's worth asking: Do I understand where this conversation is going? Who has access to it? And is there a human I could talk to instead?