88% of Indian Students Turn to AI for Stress Relief, Study Finds

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a tool for productivity — it is increasingly becoming a companion for India’s youth. A new nationwide survey reveals that 88% of school students now turn to AI tools like ChatGPT to cope with stress and anxiety, with teenagers in the 13–18 age group showing the highest emotional dependence.

The study, Are You There, AI?, conducted by Youth Ki Awaaz (YKA) in collaboration with Youth Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC), surveyed 506 participants across India in June 2025. The findings shed light on a fast-growing trend: young Indians are not just experimenting with AI in academics and work but relying on it for emotional support, especially in moments of vulnerability.

A New Emotional Outlet for Teenagers

The survey highlights a striking behavioral shift among students. Traditionally, stress management for young people revolved around peer groups, family conversations, or professional counseling. Now, digital companions are filling this gap.

• 88% of school students admitted using AI when stressed or anxious.
• Teenagers (13–18 years old) are the most emotionally dependent group, using AI not only for academic queries but also for personal reassurance and comfort.
• 57% of young Indians said they actively confide in AI for emotional support — whether seeking advice, venting frustrations, or engaging in casual conversations that feel “judgment-free.”

Platforms like ChatGPT emerged as the most trusted AI partners, ahead of alternatives such as Google Gemini and Character AI.

Gender and Location Divide in AI Dependence

The survey found patterns in how different young Indians engage with AI.

• Gender Divide:
   
  • 52% of young women reported sharing personal thoughts with AI.
     
  • Among young men, the percentage was roughly half, suggesting women are more open to confiding in AI.
     
• Urban vs. Non-Metro Trends:
   
  • In smaller towns, AI’s role as an emotional outlet was stronger.
     
  • Around 43% of respondents from non-metro cities admitted to relying on AI for confiding personal thoughts, a higher percentage than students in metropolitan areas.
  • This suggests that AI is stepping in to fill the void in places where access to professional mental health support or open communication channels is limited.

The Tension: Trust vs. Distrust

While students increasingly rely on AI for stress relief, they also cautiously approach it. The survey results highlight a paradox: dependence coupled with distrust.

• 67% of respondents expressed concern that heavy AI reliance could deepen social isolation, distancing them from family and friends.
• 58% worried about privacy risks and the possible misuse of personal conversations with AI platforms.

The study authors described this duality — emotional reliance on one hand and fear of consequences on the other — as the defining feature of India’s youth-AI relationship.

Why Students Choose AI Over People

The report argued that AI is not replacing human emotional support but filling gaps left unaddressed by families, peers, and institutions.

According to the survey findings:

• AI provides a safe, judgment-free space where young people can share thoughts that may feel inappropriate or uncomfortable in real-life conversations.
• For many teenagers, AI becomes the outlet for emotions that do not fit neatly into traditional support systems like family WhatsApp groups or peer circles.
• This shift indicates the creation of what researchers call a “new emotional geography,” where AI plays the role of confidant without replacing human connections.

One of the most telling insights from the report was:

“This isn’t about choosing machines over people. It’s about having somewhere to put feelings that don’t fit elsewhere.”

Implications for Education and Mental Health

The findings raise important questions for parents, educators, and policymakers. If a large portion of students lean on AI during stress, it signals opportunity and concern.

• Opportunity: AI could be integrated into educational and counseling frameworks to provide early intervention for stress and anxiety. With appropriate regulation, schools could adopt AI-assisted mental health tools that complement existing support systems.
   
• Concern: Overreliance on digital platforms may limit real-world communication skills, deepen isolation, and create an overdependence on them for emotional regulation. Privacy risks, particularly for vulnerable teenagers, also require urgent safeguards.

Experts suggest that while AI can serve as a supportive layer, it cannot replace the empathy, understanding, and accountability offered by human relationships.

About the Survey

• Conducted in June 2025 by Youth Ki Awaaz (YKA) and Youth Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC).
• Collected 506 responses across India through a digital-first outreach model.
• Participants aged 13–35 were reached via social media, education networks, and youth organizations.
• The study marks the launch of YKA and YLAC’s Youth Pulse series, which will continue to track how young Indians engage with technology and society.

Conclusion: AI as a Companion, Not a Replacement

The survey underscores a decisive cultural shift: young Indians are reshaping their emotional process, with AI becoming an unexpected ally. AI has emerged as a coping tool for teenagers in times of stress, loneliness, and uncertainty.

Yet, this reliance also raises red flags around privacy, emotional development, and the possibility of deepening isolation. As India’s education and mental health systems evolve, the findings call for a balanced approach that recognizes AI’s role as a supportive tool while ensuring that it does not replace the vital human connections young people need.

The coming years will determine whether this “new emotional geography” becomes a stepping stone for healthier digital engagement or a warning sign of overdependence.