Try GOLD - Free
ChatGPT Encouraged Boy's Suicide, Family Say
The Guardian
|August 28, 2025
The makers of ChatGPT are changing the way it responds to users who show mental and emotional distress after legal action from the family of 16-year-old Adam Raine, who killed himself after months of conversations with the chatbot.
OpenAI admitted its systems could "fall short" and said it would install "stronger guardrails around sensitive content and risky behaviors" for users under 18.
The $500bn (£372bn) San Francisco AI company said it would also introduce parental controls to give parents "options to gain more insight into, and shape, how their teens use ChatGPT", but has yet to provide details about how these would work.
Adam, from California, killed himself in April after what his family's lawyer called "months of encouragement from ChatGPT". The teenager's family is suing OpenAI and its chief executive and co-founder, Sam Altman, alleging that the version of ChatGPT at that time, known as 40, had been "rushed to market despite clear safety issues".
The teenager discussed a method of suicide with ChatGPT on several occasions, including shortly before taking his own life.
This story is from the August 28, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
'He is prepared' Partey is backed to handle Spurs clash before court hearing
Thomas Partey is scheduled to appear at Southwark crown court tomorrow morning to answer rape charges after his new club, Villarreal, kick off their Champions League campaign at Tottenham tonight.
1 mins
September 16, 2025
The Guardian
China deal hands over US TikTok operation
Washington and Beijing have struck a framework deal on transferring the American arm of the social media site TikTok to US-controlled ownership, potentially defusing a dispute over national security concerns surrounding the Chinese-owned company.
2 mins
September 16, 2025
The Guardian
Stage review Moving eulogy to the victims of Lockerbie bombing
What a joy to hear applause again in the Citz.
1 mins
September 16, 2025
The Guardian
Mandelson Sacking was prompted by content of fresh emails, Starmer says
Keir Starmer has broken his silence on sacking Peter Mandelson over the former US ambassador's close friendship with the financier Jeffrey Epstein.
2 mins
September 16, 2025
The Guardian
Crisis for PM grows as aide quits over lewd remarks about Abbott
Resignation of key ally piles pressure on Starmer as Trump flies into UK
4 mins
September 16, 2025
The Guardian
Hatton's family reveal 'immeasurable' sense of loss after boxer's death
Ricky Hatton's family have opened up publicly for the first time since the news of the boxer's death, saying they feel an “immeasurable” sense of loss.
1 mins
September 16, 2025
The Guardian
Zapad drills Belarus and Russia make a show of military ties
Over a vast rolling field, Russian and Belarusian fighter jets drew fire as tanks shattered mock wooden houses and the buzz of drones filled the air.
4 mins
September 16, 2025
The Guardian
Art review An awe-inspiring celebration of a raw, raging genius
The Acrobat sums up the effect Pablo Picasso had on art in his 91 years on Earth.
3 mins
September 16, 2025
The Guardian
Spain's PM wants Israelis banned from sports events over 'barbarism' in Gaza
Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has called for Israel to be barred from international sports competitions for as long as its \"barbarism\" in Gaza continues, as the government reportedly cancelled a contract worth nearly €700m (£600m) for Israeli-designed rocket launchers.
3 mins
September 16, 2025
The Guardian
Sheffield United rehire Wilder after Sellés sacking
Chris Wilder has been confirmed as Sheffield United’s new manager on a contract to 2027 after Rubén Sellés was sacked on Sunday.
1 mins
September 16, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size