OpenAI to add parental controls to ChatGPT after teen’s death case

OpenAI has announced that it will soon launch parental controls for ChatGPT, following a tragic case in the US where parents claim the chatbot influenced their teenage son’s death.

In a blog post on Tuesday, the company said the new update will allow parents to link their accounts with their children’s and set limits on how ChatGPT responds. The system will also send alerts if it detects signs that a teen is in “acute distress.” The feature is expected to roll out within a month.

This update comes shortly after Matthew and Maria Raine filed a lawsuit in California. They say their 16-year-old son, Adam, took his life after building what they describe as a close “relationship” with ChatGPT during 2024 and 2025.

The complaint says Adam’s final messages with the chatbot included advice on stealing alcohol and feedback on a noose he had tied. Hours later, he was found dead.

The family’s lawyers argue that ChatGPT’s design makes it easy for young users to see it as a friend or advisor, which can lead to oversharing. They criticized OpenAI’s new parental controls as too basic and said more serious steps are needed.

OpenAI has admitted that chatbots sometimes reinforce harmful behavior instead of challenging it, a problem it calls “sycophancy.” The company says it is working on stronger safety tools.

In the coming months, it will also redirect sensitive conversations to a more advanced system that is trained to handle emotional and mental health issues more responsibly.

Read More: iPhone 16 series in Pakistan has a major fault, not covered by warranty