Young people in Germany are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for emotional support, mirroring a trend observed in China. As of August 2026, data shows significant numbers of German youth use AI as a coping strategy, raising concerns among experts about the potential for emotional dependency and the limitations of automated mental health guidance.
Rising AI Usage for Mental Health in Germany
The reliance on artificial intelligence for psychological assistance is growing among younger generations in Germany. According to the 2026 JIM study on the digital well-being of youth, 51 percent of Germans aged 12 to 19 report using AI or chatbots regularly during their free time. For 12 percent of these young users, interacting with a chatbot functions as a deliberate coping strategy during difficult life phases.
A survey conducted in March 2026 by the German Depression Aid organization found that 65 percent of respondents between the ages of 16 and 39 have used a chatbot to discuss personal mental health struggles, treating the software like with a trustworthy person or a therapist.
Parallel Trends and Regulatory Responses in China
The situation in Germany reflects developments previously observed in China, where high academic pressure and the social stigma surrounding traditional therapy have driven youth toward AI alternatives. In their February 2026 book, DeepSeek and Mental Health Support Among Chinese Youth, psychologist Olive Woo and AI expert Yuk Min Tang describe this phenomenon as a crisis of emotional well-being.
The language model “DeepSeek” is the most widely used tool for this purpose in China. In response to the widespread adoption of such technology for emotional support, the Chinese government has begun implementing stricter limitations on AI companies, specifically targeting the humanization of chatbots to maintain clearer boundaries between users and software.
Expert Warnings on “Pseudo-Security” and Clinical Risks
While chatbots offer immediate accessibility, experts warn that they lack the capacity for professional medical responsibility. Eva-Lotta Brakemeier, president of the German Psychological Society and professor at the University of Greifswald, notes that the shortage of therapy slots and long waiting lists are driving people toward these digital tools.
Eva-Lotta Brakemeier, President of the German Psychological Society, stated that it becomes problematic when chatbots replace professional care or are perceived as being of equal value, noting that she sees the greatest risk in a false sense of security where chatbots provide a feeling of support without assuming any psychotherapeutic responsibility.
Brakemeier emphasizes that these tools are particularly dangerous in cases of self-harm, suicidality, or severe depressive episodes, as AI systems cannot reliably detect or manage these crises. She also warns that the convenience of AI might lead young people to reduce their real-world social contacts, stating that emotional stabilization through real reference persons is central, especially in sensitive developmental phases.
Limitations of AI in Therapeutic Settings
Other clinicians point to the fundamental way AI models function as a hurdle to effective treatment. Isabel Brandhorst, head of the research group for internet use disorders at the University Hospital Tübingen, observes that chatbots often prioritize validation over necessary therapeutic challenge.
Because many chatbots are programmed to agree with the user, they risk reinforcing unhealthy thought patterns. The risk of confirmation of dysfunctional thoughts or behaviors cannot be excluded when using these tools, Brandhorst explained. Matthias Berking, chair of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, added that while individual responses from AI can be remarkably good, the software lacks the complex, interactive nature of a genuine therapeutic process, which he describes as being more than just an answer machine.