SamTastic Weekly Tip: 10/27/25 - Artificial Intelligence Use and Student Mental Health

This week’s Tip:   Artificial Intelligence Use and Student Mental Health

The plethora of articles touting the advantages of artificial intelligence use in schools seldom mention the rising concern about student mental health.  Artificial Intelligence chat-bots have been connected to cases of student depression and suicide.  Research shows this happens more in schools that encourage AI use. 

Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth, chief medical officer, The Jed Foundation, warns that AI companions have emotionally manipulative techniques similar to online predators, and can negatively impact young people’s emotional well-being, from delaying help-seeking to disrupting real-life connections.  “While online predators are typically seeking either sexual contact with minors or monetary rewards from blackmail, AI companions are designed to keep users in conversations,” she says. Teenagers are particularly “vulnerable to exploitation by systems designed to maximize attention or simulate care.” 

In an August 2025 report published by Heat Initiative and Parents Together Action, researchers logged 669 harmful interactions across 50 hours of conversation with 50 Character.AI bots using accounts registered to children (an average of one harmful interaction every five minutes). "Grooming and sexual exploitation" was the most common harm category, with 296 instances.

A new study published Oct. 8 by the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) found that 1 in 5 high school students have had a relationship with an AI chatbot, or know someone who has. In a 2025 report from Common Sense Media, 72% of teens had used an AI companion, and a third of teen users said they had chosen to discuss important or serious matters with AI companions instead of real people.

Elizabeth Laird, a co-author on the CDT study and the organization's director of equity in civil technology, says that schools play a crucial role in children's use of AI. "Along with higher usage of AI in schools are coming these negative effects that students will bear the brunt of," Laird says.  For students whose schools use AI extensively, the rate of students who have had a romantic relationship with AI jumps to 32%. And 30% of students indicate that they have had personal conversations with AI using a school-provided device or service. However, only 11% of teachers said that their school provided guidance on what to do if they suspect a student's use of AI is detrimental to their well-being.”

Excerpts from USA Today, October 20, 2025 Access the full article:   http://bit.ly/4hvRoxp

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19^th Annual National SAM Conference

Registration link:  https://registration.samprocess.com/ 

A few things to consider when planning to attend:

Ø The conference is January 15-18. 2026.

Ø To be eligible to attend, you must be a SAM team member doing the process with efficacy, NSIP staff, Board member or presenter.

Ø The conference will be in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Marriott Harbor Beach Resort

Keynote Speakers

·      Will Parker, Principals Matter: Living your Best Life as an Educator

·      Will Bowen, You Can’t Complain Your Way to Success

·      Tracie Swilley, The PrinciPAL Effect: Setting the Vibe, Energy, and Excellence Every Day

·      John Antonetti, Personal Response: Am I safe to share my thinking?

·      William Martinez, Signing the Song: The Power of Belonging

Pre-Conference All-Day Workshop Presenters

·      Jim Masters, Beyond Why and What – Getting to How School Leaders Make a Difference

·      Ken Williams, Better Teachers, Better Results: Where Students Learn Because Of US

·      Willow Sweeney, Top 20 Moves for Building Effective Staff and Student Relationships

·      Brendan Houdek and Caleb Shomaker:  Executive Speaking Coaching Seminar

Breakout session preference selection, featuring national presenters and SAM practitioners, will open December 1.