Lgbtq+ youth turn to AI for mental health support amid rising risks

A new study by The Trevor Project reveals that 53% of LGBTQ+ youth engage with AI platforms, with 40% using them for mental health support. Nearly half have used AI for friendship or conversation, and 29% accessed crisis information or hotlines through these tools. LGBTQ+ youth of color are more likely than white peers to seek AI-based mental health support, with 49% versus 20% respectively. Jaymes Black, CEO of The Trevor Project, emphasizes the urgent need for safeguards as AI becomes a critical lifeline for at-risk youth. The research, set for December release, highlights disparities in AI use within the LGBTQ+ community. Black calls for multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure AI systems align with evidence-based suicide prevention standards and protect marginalized voices. The Trevor Project advocates for youth agency, privacy, and algorithmic justice in AI development. The study underscores the importance of tailoring crisis support to individual experiences, such as the unique needs of a Black transgender youth in Tennessee versus a white straight youth in New York. Black stresses the necessity of protecting vulnerable young people as AI technology evolves. The Trevor Project is committed to engaging with youth using these tools to ensure their safety and well-being. The early-rate deadline for the World Changing Ideas Awards is Friday, November 13, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.