For months, the news has been inundated with studies showing the high rates of AI use by young people, sometimes with tragic consequences. The urgency to put protective measures in place is palpable. Recently, I previewed longitudinal research results The Trevor Project is preparing to release this fall. It shows that AI use is particularly pronounced among LGBTQ+ youth: 53% of LGBTQ+ youth surveyed engage with AI platforms at least occasionally. We found that nearly half have used AI for friendship or someone to talk to, and 40% have used AI for mental health support. In our study, 29% said AI had provided them with information about a crisis or support hotline, almost a third (29%) of whom accessed a hotline this way.

LGBTQ+ young people are more than three times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers, and are more likely to turn to online communities for support. AI use for mental health support was not evenly distributed across demographic groups within the LGBTQ+ community, our study showed. Youth of color were much more likely than white youth to turn to AI for mental health support: 49% compared with 20%. (This full research report is scheduled for publication in December.)

It does not surprise me that LGBTQ+ youth in non-affirming physical environments are looking to emerging AI tools as vital lifelines for community and self-discovery. But it has catapulted me to action.

I lead The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention organization that has been advocating for LGBTQ+ youth well-being for decades.

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