A study has found that the high rate of depression symptoms among young people is closely linked to increased screen time. While friends and family remain the primary support network, about one in five, or 22%, are now turning to AI-powered chatbots to manage their emotions. Ching Chi Kong, director of the Mental Health Association, warned against the risks of over-reliance on AI chatbots for managing emotional needs, as they may provide incorrect guidance, thereby exacerbating one's mental state. A survey revealed that one in three adults in Hong Kong experiences moderate to severe depressive symptoms, nearly three times the rate recorded in 2012, with Generation Z, who spend long hours in front of screens, being the most affected. The study, conducted biennially by the non-governmental Mental Health Association and the University of Hong Kong, also showed that 22% of the 2,700 adult participants resorted to AI-driven automated chat programs to manage stress, which experts on Thursday described as 'perilous' as it could delay seeking specialized help. The survey, reported by the South China Morning Post and conducted between September and November last year, concluded that the participants' depression index, derived from self-reported symptoms, reached 7.27 out of 27, the highest level since 2012, the year the survey began. Angela Kwok Chi-yan, an assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong's Department of Social Work, attributed the record-high depression levels to a mix of social and environmental pressures. She stated: 'Although the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, its lingering effects persist, such as changes in lifestyle patterns, including increased time spent on electronic screens, which will impact our mental health.' Kwok explained that excessive digital device use often provides instant gratification but weakens concentration and social skills, reducing an individual's capacity to cope with real-life challenges. The crisis was most severe among Generation Z, aged 18 to 24. They averaged a score of 9.43 on the depression scale, just below the clinical threshold for diagnosis. Within this age group, 44% suffered from moderate to severe depression.
