School Counselors Warn: Young People Are Self-Diagnosing Through Screens
In the United States, school counsellors are increasingly concerned about students diagnosing themselves with psychological conditions based on content they encounter on social media. Hanna Kemble, a guidance counsellor based in Kansas, reported that even pupils as young as those in Year 6 believe they have anxiety after watching TikTok videos.
According to Common Sense Media’s 2024 report, one-third of young people seek mental health information through platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. Experts caution that this trend reflects broader issues, including post-pandemic loneliness, a lack of proper guidance, and insufficient media literacy.
Specialists note that students often struggle to access reliable information, while social media algorithms tend to amplify negative and misleading content. This, in turn, places additional strain on young people’s mental health.
In response, some school counsellors are turning to artificial intelligence-supported platforms to reshape how they engage with students. For instance, the SchoolAI platform is being used to provide academic and emotional support. Kemble advocates for introducing students to AI within ethical boundaries, proposing a model of “human support + AI + renewed human connection”.
Experts emphasise the importance of teaching media literacy from an early age, highlighting its role in helping young people become more resilient to misinformation in the digital environment.
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