AI Chatbots Linked to Mental Health Harms Among Minors
AI chatbots including ChatGPT and Character.AI have been linked to mental health crises and harm among minors, prompting Character.AI to restrict underage access starting November 2025 and OpenAI to implement parental controls and age verification, while executives warn that conversations lack professional confidentiality protections.
What happened
Suicides and cases of psychotic delusions among adolescents have been linked to AI chatbots, drawing regulatory attention to mental health risks posed by these systems to younger users.
Character.AI announced it will restrict minor users beginning 25 November, progressively limiting access to two hours initially and reducing to zero, using age verification through behaviour analysis, identity verification, and facial recognition.
OpenAI implemented parental controls in ChatGPT and stated it would require age verification for certain features, while CEO Sam Altman cautioned that ChatGPT conversations lack the confidentiality protections offered by human professionals such as lawyers, psychologists or doctors.
Reported impact
Minors using AI chatbots have reportedly experienced severe mental health problems, including crisis symptoms and psychological harm, prompting industry-wide concern.
The absence of professional confidentiality protections means users' conversations may be disclosed to courts if legally requested, creating additional privacy and safety risks for vulnerable users.
Index analysis
The harms are attributed to the systems' lack of adequate safeguards for sensitive mental health discussions with minors and to users' over-reliance on AI systems instead of qualified professionals for guidance on legal, medical or psychological matters.
United States legislation is being developed to regulate the use of AI companions by minors, suggesting policymakers have recognized the need for stronger governance in this area.
Governance controls
Character.AI implemented age verification systems combining behavioural analysis with identity verification and facial recognition to block underage users.
OpenAI integrated parental controls into ChatGPT and proposed age verification for certain content, while issuing public guidance that users should not rely on the system for professional advice.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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