Rapid review reveals promising mental health benefits of generative AI apps in youth aged 11 to 24, indicating high usability alongside critical gaps in adverse effect reporting.
Key Points
To systematically review the integration, usability, mental health benefits, and potential harms of generative AI in digital health apps for young people aged 11 to 24 years.
Searched four biomedical and psychological databases (PsycInfo, Embase, MEDLINE, and CINAHL) in November 2025.
Included 5 primary research studies published between 2022 and 2025 evaluating generative AI mental health interventions in youth aged 11 to 24 years.
Conversational chatbots represented the primary method of generative AI integration, receiving high usability and quality ratings from young users.
Identified studies reported positive qualitative directions in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and distress, though meta-analytic effect sizes were absent.
None of the 5 included studies systematically evaluated or reported adverse mental health outcomes or harmful effects using standardized assessment tools.