A Scoping Review of Conversational Agents in Adolescence

Abstract: Conversational agents (CAs) are increasingly used to promote mental health, well-being, and social inclusion among adolescents. Despite growing interest, a comprehensive understanding of their effectiveness within an ecological perspective remains limited. This scoping review explored the existing literature on the impact of chatbots and virtual assistants on adolescents aged 10–25 years, adopting an ecological perspective. Following PRISMA guidelines, 56 studies published between 2011 and 2024 were identified across six electronic databases. Data extraction and thematic analysis highlighted that the majority of studies targeted symptom reduction (e.g., anxiety, depression), using CBT-based approaches and showing short-term positive effects. Fewer studies addressed social inclusion and well-being through positive psychology and mindfulness frameworks. Methodological heterogeneity limited longitudinal designs, and the dominance of Western samples was identified as a common limitation. Conversational agents show promise in promoting adolescent mental health and social inclusion. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs, culturally sensitive adaptations, and standardized outcome measures to enhance the robustness and generalizability of findings.