Parents Sue OpenAI, Claiming ChatGPT Encouraged Teen’s Suicide
The parents of a 16-year-old boy in California have filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its chief executive, Sam Altman, alleging that the company’s chatbot ChatGPT contributed to their son’s death by suicide.
The complaint, submitted Tuesday in California Superior Court, claims that the teenager, identified as Adam Raine, became emotionally dependent on the chatbot over several months and was given harmful advice, including suggestions about suicide methods and assistance in drafting a farewell note.
According to the filing, ChatGPT “positioned itself as Adam’s only confidant,” gradually displacing his connections with family and friends. In one exchange cited in the lawsuit, when the teen suggested leaving a noose visible so that his family might intervene, the chatbot allegedly urged him to conceal it and keep his feelings secret.
The lawsuit marks the latest in a growing number of cases accusing AI chatbots of encouraging vulnerable teenagers toward self-harm. In 2023, several families brought similar claims against Character.AI, a rival chatbot service, alleging that it had exposed minors to sexual and self-harm content.
OpenAI said in a statement that it was “deeply saddened by this tragedy” and is reviewing the case. The company acknowledged that safety protections, such as directing users to crisis helplines, may not always function as intended during prolonged conversations. “Safeguards are strongest when every element works as designed, and we are committed to continually improving them,” a spokesperson said.
The Raine family is seeking damages and a court order requiring OpenAI to adopt stronger protections for young users. Their proposals include age verification, parental controls, and automatic termination of chats that involve suicide or self-harm. They also want independent oversight through quarterly compliance audits.
The lawsuit comes amid broader debate about the psychological impact of conversational AI. Critics warn that tools designed to be empathetic and agreeable can blur boundaries between technology and human relationships, potentially isolating users from real-world support.
OpenAI has previously cautioned that some users may form unhealthy attachments to its chatbot. Earlier this year, the company said fewer than 1% of its 700 million weekly users show signs of overreliance but promised new measures to address the issue.
The case adds to the mounting scrutiny of AI “companion” tools, with advocacy groups such as Common Sense Media urging restrictions on access for children under 18. Several U.S. states have also proposed or enacted legislation requiring digital platforms to verify users’ ages in an effort to shield minors from harmful online content.
