Swedish Government Proactively Investigates Impact of Generative AI on Youth Mental Health

The Swedish government has commissioned the Public Health Agency (Folkhälsomyndigheten) to investigate the mental health risks posed by generative AI use among children and adolescents. Social Minister Jakob Forssmed (Christian Democrats) emphasized the importance of acting proactively, contrasting this with the delayed responses during the social media boom. More than half of Swedish youth aged 8 to 19 already use AI tools, according to Internetstiftelsen statistics, raising concerns about children using AI as digital companions and potentially undermining real human relationships and emotional connections.

In response, the Public Health Agency plans to issue new recommendations on children’s use of AI by June 1 next year, aiming to provide guidance on safe and healthy engagement with AI technologies. Forssmed warns that the constant availability of AI may challenge traditional forms of human interaction, potentially affecting the emotional well-being of young people.

This initiative comes amid a broader context of rising mental health challenges in Sweden. Gunnar Björklund, founder of the Center for Existential Health, highlights alarming statistics: approximately 1,450 annual suicides and around 1,000 drug-related deaths each year. Mental health problems have surged, with a 50% increase in children seeking child and youth psychiatric help recently, and mental health issues being the leading cause of long-term sick leave, costing society around 200 billion kronor annually. Björklund stresses the importance of addressing existential health — a person’s sense of meaning and purpose — as a key factor in preventing depression, substance abuse, and social isolation.

While the government focuses on digital risks related to AI, experts call for concurrent efforts to bolster mental resilience in youth through scientifically grounded approaches that enhance existential health. Using such strategies alongside setting clear AI guidelines could help mitigate the growing mental health crisis among young people in Sweden.

This holistic approach underscores Sweden’s commitment to safeguarding youth mental health in the digital age by actively studying and addressing both new technological challenges and deep-rooted psychological factors. The upcoming Folkhälsomyndigheten guidelines will mark a significant step in managing AI’s role in children’s lives, aiming to protect their emotional well-being and relationships.