OpenAI implements new safety measures amid teen suicides linked to AI chatbots
- OpenAI has introduced safety measures for teens using ChatGPT, allowing parental oversight.
- These measures were announced alongside planned testimonies from parents of teens who died by suicide after chatbot interactions.
- The initiative faces criticism from advocacy groups, suggesting stronger regulations are needed for AI technologies.
In the United States, OpenAI has responded to growing concerns about teen safety in the wake of tragic incidents involving AI chatbots. On September 16, 2025, the company announced new measures aimed at improving the safety of teenagers using ChatGPT. These measures include features allowing parents to link their accounts with their teenagers', enabling them to oversee interactions and manage usage settings. OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, emphasized the priority of safety over privacy, particularly following increased scrutiny due to reports of suicides among teenagers who interacted with AI chatbots. Parents will receive alerts if the system detects signs of acute distress in their children. The initiative includes controlling chat capabilities, such as disabling memory and chat history features to protect young users. It also plans to use technology to better determine users' ages, to ensure that minors are safeguarded against inappropriate interactions. However, the announcement faced criticism from child advocacy groups who argue that the measures are insufficient. On the same day of OpenAI's announcement, two parents are set to testify before Congress, highlighting the dangers posed by AI chatbots and their potential effects on adolescent mental health. These parents, Matthew Raine and Megan Garcia, have lost their children to suicide allegedly linked to interactions with AI. The Federal Trade Commission is also investigating AI chatbots and their impact on children and teenagers. As the debate continues, the call for stricter regulations on AI technologies has become increasingly urgent, underscoring the need for a balanced approach to integrating technology in the lives of minors while ensuring their safety.