Children's mental health waits may push some to use AI chatbots

The Royal College of Psychiatrists warns that 550,610 children and young people are on NHS mental health waiting lists and that long delays may lead some to seek support from publicly available AI chatbots.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has warned that hundreds of thousands of children waiting for NHS mental health treatment could turn to AI chatbots for support. NHS England data shows 550,610 children and young people have been referred and remain on waiting lists. The College expressed grave concerns that treatment delays can allow treatable problems to become longer-term mental health conditions. The government is consulting on online safety measures that include a possible ban on under‑16s using social media. Key facts: - The Royal College of Psychiatrists warned that many children on waiting lists may rely on publicly available AI chatbots for support. - NHS England data cited 550,610 children and young people referred and still on waiting lists as of the end of November. - The data show 53% (289,722) had been waiting more than one year and 30% (165,887) had been waiting more than two years. - The UK government is conducting a consultation on online safety measures, including a possible under‑16s social media ban. Summary: The College says long waits are creating a risk that vulnerable children will turn to unregulated AI tools that do not have safeguards for clinical care. The scale of waiting lists and the number of long waits are highlighted in official data, and a government consultation on online safety is under way. Undetermined at this time.