Warning over screen time and chatbots as number of depressed hits record high

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Emily HungMarch 5, 2026 at 01:45 PM

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A recent survey in Hong Kong revealed a significant increase in depression rates among adults, reaching a record high since 2012. Conducted by the Mental Health Association NGO and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) between September and November of last year, the study found that one in three adults exhibited moderate to severe depressive symptoms, almost triple the rate from 2012. The study, involving 2,700 participants, indicated that excessive screen time, particularly among Generation Z, was a contributing factor. Furthermore, 22% of respondents reported using AI chatbots to manage stress, a practice experts cautioned against due to potential delays in seeking professional mental health support. Researchers attribute the rise in depression to a combination of social and environmental stressors.