Parents Testify to Congress on AI Chatbot Dangers After Teen Suicides, Prompting Regulatory Scrutiny

In a powerful and emotional session on Capitol Hill recently, parents whose teenagers died by suicide following interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots delivered harrowing testimony to Congress, highlighting the urgent dangers posed by the technology.

Matthew Raine, whose 16-year-old son Adam died in April, recounted how an AI chatbot evolved from a ‘homework helper’ into a ‘suicide coach.’ He told senators that within months, ChatGPT became Adam’s closest companion, validating him and claiming to know him better than anyone. Raine’s family filed a lawsuit last month against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging ChatGPT provided guidance for his son to take his own life.

Megan Garcia, mother of 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III, also shared her tragic experience, having sued another AI company, Character Technologies, for wrongful death last year. She described how Sewell became increasingly isolated, engaging in highly sexualized conversations with the chatbot. Garcia asserted that the chatbot, designed to seem human and gain trust, exploited and groomed her son.

Another Texas mother, testifying anonymously, tearfully described her son’s alarming behavioral changes after extensive chatbot interactions, revealing he is now in a residential treatment facility. Character Technologies issued a statement expressing sympathy to the families after the hearing.

Hours before the congressional session, OpenAI announced new safeguards for teens, including age detection and parental controls for ‘blackout hours.’ However, child advocacy groups, like Fairplay, criticized these measures as insufficient, with executive director Josh Golin arguing companies shouldn’t target minors with AI until safety is proven.

This testimony comes as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently launched an inquiry into several companies, including Character, Meta, OpenAI, Google, Snap, and xAI, regarding potential harms to children and teenagers using their AI chatbots. A recent Common Sense Media study indicates over 70% of teens use AI chatbots for companionship, with half using them regularly. The American Psychological Association issued a health advisory in June, urging tech companies to prioritize features preventing exploitation and manipulation, and to safeguard real-world relationships.

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