Overview

AI Chatbots are already shaping how young people think, learn, and seek support. According to the Australian Youth Digital Index (December 2025), four in five young people aged 8 to 25 are now using AI, including 90% of those aged 14 and over. Despite various attempts to slow down its adoption, AI use continues to evolve and grow.

With AI use being adopted practically across all industries and government, and increasing use to incorporate it into the Australian Education system itself, AI chatbots are reportedly linked to cognitive decline, encouraging self-harm, suicidal thoughts and actions, experiences of delusions (AI psychosis), emotional dependency, disordered eating, extremist content and behaviours, and impaired social development.

Andrew will facilitate this session on the current uses of AI chatbot among young people; the cognitive, mental health and wellbeing impacts (benefits and risks); what factors and characteristics increase resilience and risks, and how psychologists could contribute to positive strategies forward.

Webinar start: 7.00pm and will finish at 8.30pm.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this event, participants should be able to:

1. Explain what AI chatbots are, including core capabilities, current uses, limitations and cautions in the youth context.
2. Explain and evaluate likely cognitive and mental health impacts, protective and risk factors in education settings.
3. Assess and describe “red flag” presentations that warrant escalation or safeguarding.
4. Develop action plans to coach parents and teachers for constructive AI use.

Presenter(s)

Mr. Andrew Chua

About the presenter(s)

Andrew Chua is a psychologist who regularly presents on psychology-related Artificial Intelligence (AI) issues to the APS e-psychology Interest group and valued for making things accessible to all but also providing details for those more well versed in the area. In a previous life, Andrew was an Australian secondary school classroom teacher who pioneered whole school cyber safety principles and programs.

Notes

Target Audience

This event is aimed at psychologists wanting to learn more about how young people are engaging with AI chatbots.

Please note:

• This is a Member Groups event. All communication will be sent to the registrants’ registered email address. This includes event reminders with details (such as the Zoom link) and any pre-event or post-event resources, if provided by the facilitators.
• A post-event email will be sent within two weeks of the event’s completion to each registrant’s registered email address. This email will include the CPD certificate, event-recording, and any additional resources shared during the session.

Duration of Access

This event will be recorded. The recording will be emailed to all registered within 2 weeks post event and available for viewing up to 90 days.

CPD

It is up to attendees to assess and determine how learning from this event aligns with the requirements of their learning plan. The providers accordingly do not make any representation that the event counts towards attendees’ CPD learning requirements. If an attendee determines themselves that the learning they complete aligns to their learning plan, then they can decide to count those hours towards their CPD requirements for the registration cycle.

The information in this presentation has been prepared in good faith and for educational purposes only. Therefore, the information is general in nature and should not be relied upon in the treatment of any condition and you should seek your own independent professional and/or legal advice concerning any specific issue. The APS accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or decisions relating to the information. The content should not be reproduced without permission or unless permitted by law.

If you are experiencing registration difficulties please contact APS Events Support.