AI, Anxiety, and Adolescence: What School Counselors Need to Know About Teens and Artificial Intelligence
Date: October 8, 2026
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 pm UTC
About this webinar
Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of many teenagers’ emotional lives. From asking chatbots for advice to using AI tools for stress management, self-reflection, and companionship, students are engaging with technology in ways many adults do not fully see or understand. On World Mental Health Day, this session explores how teens are using AI to support their mental health, the opportunities and risks these tools present, and the important role school counselors play in guiding healthy conversations around AI use.
Together, we will examine emerging concerns including emotional dependency, misinformation, privacy, and the changing nature of student support systems. Participants will leave with practical strategies, conversation starters, and key considerations for supporting student well-being in an increasingly AI-shaped world.
Speaker
Jeff Utecht is an internationally recognized educator, consultant, and speaker who has spent more than two decades working alongside schools and leadership teams around the world. Having lived and worked extensively in international schools across Asia and beyond, Jeff brings a deep understanding of the unique pressures, opportunities, and cultural dynamics international school communities face. His work today focuses on helping educators and school leaders navigate the impact of artificial intelligence on teaching, learning, leadership, and student well-being. Jeff’s perspective on student mental health and AI is also shaped by his wife served for more than 20 years as a school counselor 10 of which in international schools. Together, their experiences have provided firsthand insight into the evolving needs of students, counselors, and school communities in an increasingly connected and AI-shaped world. Jeff is the co-founder of Shifting Schools and has worked with hundreds of schools globally supporting thoughtful, human-centered approaches to emerging technologies.
