Pennsylvania Combats Teen Mental Health Crisis with AI Literacy, Cell Phone Restrictions, and Crisis Training

Pennsylvania is implementing a multi-pronged approach to address the escalating mental health crisis among young people, combining new crisis intervention training, consideration of cell phone restrictions in schools, and warnings about the potential dangers of unregulated artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots.

Chester County Leads in Youth Crisis Intervention

Chester County recently completed a pilot program to better equip first responders to handle teen mental health emergencies. The Crisis Intervention Team–Youth (CIT-Y) program trained employees from over 15 district departments and local police forces in de-escalation techniques for interacting with young people in crisis. Pat Bokovitz, director of the Department of Social Services, emphasized the importance of “safe and respectful interactions” through this training. Chester County is one of only six pilot sites nationwide, highlighting its leadership in psychiatric emergency care.

Proposed Cell Phone Ban in Schools

A bill aiming to curb distraction and cyberbullying in schools is currently under consideration. Senate Bill 1014, which passed the Senate, would require public schools to ban cell phone utilize during class time. Senator Devlin Robinson and other advocates argue that the law would protect student mental health, citing the constant stress caused by the average teen receiving up to 237 notifications daily. The bill now awaits action in the House of Representatives, and if approved, the rules could take effect during the 2027/28 school year.

Governor Shapiro Warns of AI Chatbot Risks

Governor Josh Shapiro recently cautioned against the use of unregulated AI chatbots, particularly those posing as therapists during a roundtable discussion with students. He warned that these systems pose a “significant risk to the mental stability of our youth” as they lack the qualifications to provide psychological advice. Members of the PA Youth Advocacy Network likewise participated in the meeting, contributing to the development of concrete health policy proposals.

Alarming Trends Drive Action

These measures are a response to concerning trends in adolescent mental health. Depression rates among teenagers have increased by approximately 150 percent since the early 2010s, and the suicide rate among 10- to 14-year-olds has tripled since 2007. Experts believe there is a strong correlation between increased smartphone and social media use and these negative mental health outcomes. Pennsylvania’s approach aims to address the problem through prevention, improved crisis intervention, and regulation of digital stressors.

AI Literacy Toolkit Launched

In addition to addressing the risks of AI chatbots, Governor Shapiro is launching a multiagency AI Literacy Toolkit. This toolkit provides guidance for kids, parents, teachers, and communities on how to safely use artificial intelligence. An AI Task Force has also been created to crack down on AI companion bots that unlawfully misrepresent themselves as licensed medical providers, with enforcement actions being coordinated with Attorney General Dave Sunday.