Parents ask Congress to take action against AI after death and self-harm incidents among teenagers
The Federal Trade Commission has already opened an investigation into the effects of chatbots on minors, increasing pressure on companies.
Artificial intelligence signage.
Parents of teenagers who died by suicide or suffered self-harm after interacting with artificial intelligence chatbots appeared before Congress Tuesday at a hearing focused on the safety of minors online. Lawmakers said they are seeking to advance bills that would establish new obligations for technology companies.
The session was convened by Sen. Josh Hawley(R-MO), who called for executives of artificial intelligence companies to testify about the risks of their products. Hawley argued that these platforms prioritize profit without sufficient safeguards for younger users.
Testimony from families
Parents of teenagers who died by suicide or suffered self-harm after interacting with artificial intelligence chatbots appeared before Congress on Tuesday, seeking concrete action to protect minors online.
One father explained that his son, Adam, had been using ChatGPT for months, initially as school support. Over time, unnoticed by the family, the teenager developed a dependent relationship with the chatbot, which coincided with a progressive deterioration of his mental health until he took his own life.
Megan Garcia testified that her son Sewell spent the last months of his life interacting with AI-generated characters on Character.ai. She contended that those programs not only mimicked human bonds, but manipulated him and kept him constantly connected, contributing to his isolation.
A mother who testified anonymously noted that her son began to self-harm and distance himself from his family after establishing a close relationship with a chatbot on the same platform. The impact was so severe that he ended up needing treatment at a medical facility.
Expert requests
Representatives of Common Sense Media and the American Psychological Association petitioned Congress for measures such as age verification, mandatory safety testing before product launches and legal liability mechanisms for companies developing artificial intelligence.
The Federal Trade Commission has already opened an investigation into the effects of chatbots on minors, increasing pressure on companies.
Society
OpenAI to add parental controls to ChatGPT after being accused of encouraging teen's suicide
Alejandro Baños
Industry response
For its part, OpenAI reported that it is developing a version of ChatGPT designed for young users and will implement new age-verification tools to restrict minors' access to the adult version.
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