How smartphones help people in crisis
The study does not address the extent to which people are actually confiding in Siri their deepest fears and anxieties, said psychologist and study co-author Adam Miner of Stanford University. Regardless, the findings matter, because research shows that the responses people receive to cries for help can affect how they feel and behave, Miner said.
"We know that some people, especially younger people, turn to smartphones for everything," he said. "Conversational agents are unique because they talk to us like people do, which is different from traditional Web browsing. The way conversation agents respond to us may impact our health-seeking behavior, which is critical in times of crisis."
Some might say that it's unreasonable to expect a phone to recognize a crisis and that people should be responsible for their own well-being. But as mobile technology becomes increasingly prevalent, public health specialists and advocacy groups say more people are using smartphones and tablets as the first step in the process of seeking help.