#EmotionalSupport

AI chatbots are emerging as a potential emotional lifeline for people seeking support, with new research showing more individuals turning to artificial intelligence for comfort traditionally sought from human therapists. While this offers faster, around-the-clock access, experts warn about privacy risks and the limits of AI as a substitute for professional care. The Thai context is especially salient as access to mental health services remains uneven and cultural factors influence how people seek help.

ChatGPT, a widely used generative AI chatbot, is becoming an emotional lifeline for individuals seeking support, with new research indicating a record number of people are turning to artificial intelligence for comfort traditionally sought from human therapists. The rapid rise in AI’s role as a confidant is stirring both hope and concern among mental health experts and policymakers worldwide — and it holds unique implications for Thailand, where access to mental healthcare remains a societal challenge.

ChatGPT, the AI assistant from OpenAI, has emerged as an unofficial “therapist” for millions of Gen Z users on social media. Thai youth increasingly seek digital support for mental health, prompting hope and caution among experts and officials about AI as a substitute for professional counseling. The trend is global, with local online communities watching its impact closely.

This phenomenon is about more than viral videos. In March 2025, millions of TikTok posts explored ChatGPT as a therapist. Data from popular outlets show that AI-powered support has become a widely discussed topic among younger generations worldwide, including in Thailand, where smartphones are common and privacy concerns shape how young people seek help. Many Thai students face barriers to traditional services—stigma, cost, and provider shortages—making AI chatbots seem like an accessible first step for emotional support, stress management, and self-reflection.

ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot developed by OpenAI, is making waves on social media for its unexpected new role: serving as an unofficial “therapist” to millions of Generation Z users. As Thai youth and young adults increasingly turn to virtual support for their mental health needs, experts and officials are raising both hope and concerns about the implications of using AI as a substitute for professional counseling—a trend reflected globally and gaining traction in local online communities.

A recent surge in psychological and sociological research has ignited debate about how families should raise boys, with new findings showing that affectionate, patient, and emotionally engaged parenting is just as crucial for sons as it is for daughters—even more so, in some cases. This growing body of evidence, highlighted in a recent Atlantic feature, challenges long-held beliefs about masculinity, toughness, and what boys truly need to thrive, both in Western contexts and, importantly, for parents and educators across Thailand grappling with similar generational pressures.

A growing body of psychological and sociological research suggests that affectionate, patient, and emotionally engaged parenting matters just as much for boys as for girls—sometimes even more for boys’ emotional health. New findings challenge traditional ideas of masculinity and show that early nurturing shapes outcomes in education, behavior, and mental well-being. This is especially relevant for Thai parents and educators navigating changing family dynamics and modern pressures.

Long-standing ideas about raising boys to be “tough” can overlook their emotional needs. Global studies indicate that parents often talk, read, and sing more to daughters and feel closer to them in early childhood. When fathers and mothers have limited time or emotional bandwidth for boys, boys may miss opportunities to develop healthy emotion regulation. Such patterns can contribute to later behavioral and mental health challenges.