AI Not a Substitute for Human Connection | Calgary News

One in five Ontario students is turning to AI chatbots for emotional support — a startling trend revealing deeper gaps in teen mental health care. Girls, gender-diverse youth, and racialized students use AI more frequently, and older teens are increasingly relying on bots, often while juggling schoolwork. But here’s the warning: these unregulated bots can’t offer real empathy or handle critical issues like self-harm. While AI may temporarily fill the void for isolated teens, experts insist human connection remains irreplaceable. Adults must step up — be present, available, and emotionally responsive — because no bot can match the depth and safety of a real human conversation. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/21ff535ab9b702fd