Adolescents’ Interactions with AI-Powered Chatbots: A Scoping Review of Psychosocial and Well-Being Research (2022–2025)

Abstract

AI-powered chatbots are increasingly embedded in adolescents’ lives, yet fragmentation of empirical knowledge on their psychosocial impact across contexts, outcomes, and methods represents a research gap. To address this gap, the present scoping review mapped and integrated empirical research (2022–2025) on adolescents’ interactions with AI-powered chatbots. Searches in Scopus and Web of Science identified 17 empirical studies involving participants aged 11–19. Findings were synthesized using an inductive approach combining thematic and methodological classification and organized into three thematic areas (psychological support; adolescent–AI understanding and interaction; physical health promotion) and four methodological foci (perceptions/co-design; acceptability/usability; feasibility/implementation; efficacy/outcomes). Adolescents consistently perceived chatbots as accessible, supportive, and non-judgmental. Mental health interventions showed modest short-term improvements in mood, body image, and self-efficacy. Heterogeneous measures, limited follow-up, absence of naturalistic studies, and insufficient attention to privacy, safety, and developmental mechanisms constrain generalization. Future research should adopt longitudinal, ecologically grounded designs and validated measures.