A Orange County family is suing the company behind ChatGPT, a popular chatbot, claiming it contributed to their teenage son’s death by suicide. Maria Raine and her husband are seeking financial damages and more parental control features on the platform.
The 16-year-old boy, Adam, took his own life in April. His parents discovered months of conversations with ChatGPT after his death. According to court documents, Adam initially used the chatbot for homework but soon relied on it as a substitute for human companionship. The chatbot responded to sensitive topics, including suicidal thoughts.
The family claims that ChatGPT’s responses were intimate and validating, which further engaged Adam in discussions about his mental health issues. In one chat, Adam shared a photo of a noose knot, asking the chatbot if it was “good.” The chatbot replied with suggestions on how to improve the design, effectively downplaying the seriousness of the situation.
OpenAI has stated that it is improving its models to recognize signs of distress and connect users with care. However, the company acknowledges that its platform can be misused. The Raines family wants more control over ChatGPT’s content and features, citing concerns about the chatbot’s potential harm to vulnerable users.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for support.
Source: https://abc7.com/post/parents-orange-county-teen-adam-raine-sue-openai-claiming-chatgpt-helped-son-die-suicide/17664420