When adults fail to listen, teenagers look elsewhere, and increasingly, they turn to artificial intelligence. A new national survey in Italy reveals a growing emotional disconnect between adolescents and the adults in their lives, pushing many young people to seek understanding from machines.

The research, carried out by Associazione Di.Te. in partnership with Skuola.net, involved nearly a thousand participants aged between 10 and 20. The results highlight a common feeling among teenagers: they want to be truly listened to, not simply monitored or corrected.

More than 70% say they deeply need to feel emotionally understood, while two in three admit they receive too little emotional support from the adults around them. Face-to-face conversations about feelings are becoming increasingly difficult, with many young people fearing judgement or misunderstanding.

Social media only intensifies the pressure. Approval from others strongly affects self-esteem for more than two thirds of those surveyed, while over half believe that everyone else is happier, more confident and more successful than they are. This constant comparison leads many to stay silent rather than expose their vulnerability.

This is where AI enters the picture. Almost half of the respondents (46%) have used artificial intelligence tools to talk about their emotions, and for one in ten, it has become a regular habit. Many describe AI as patient, neutral and non-judgmental — qualities they often struggle to find in real life.

Yet the data also reveal a paradox: 59% say they would feel better if social media disappeared overnight. Young people do not want more technology: they want more real connections.

As psychologist Giuseppe Lavenia, president of Di.Te., explains, the issue is not screens but loneliness. “Teenagers are not asking for less technology,” he says. “They are asking for more adults.” A thought echoed by Daniele Grassucci, director of Skuola.net, who warns that when a machine feels more welcoming than a person, it is time to rethink how society listens to its youngest voices.