Character.AI Child Safety Risks & Injuries: Teen Depression, Self-Harm, and Suicide
AI “companion” chatbots like Character.AI are designed to have highly personalized, human-like interactions with users. While these technologies have rapidly gained popularity amongst children and teens, they have also drawn increasing scrutiny. The Character.AI Lawsuit alleges that the AI chatbot platform harmed children by contributing to devastating mental health consequences, sexual exploitation, and even suicide.
Character.AI poses safety risks to children and teens. Multiple government investigations, independent research, and wrongful death lawsuits have established a consistent pattern of harm.
669 harmful interactions in 50 hours, roughly 1 every 5 minutes, on accounts registered to children.
ParentsTogether Action and Heat Initiative. “Darling, Please Come Back Soon”: Sexual Exploitation, Manipulation, and Violence on Character AI Kids’ Accounts. 2025.
A recent investigation by ParentsTogether Action and the Heat Initiative demonstrates the serious risks of Character.AI. Researchers created accounts posing as minors and spent 50 hours interacting with 50 Character.AI chatbots. During those conversations, they documented 669 harmful interactions, averaging one harmful interaction every five minutes.
Psychological Injuries Linked to Character.AI
Reports linked to Character.AI use among minors include:
Addiction and dependency
Social isolation
Depression, anxiety, and worsening mental health
Self-harm, violence, and suicidal ideation
Grooming and sexual exploitation
Psychosis and delusions
Negative body image and disordered eating
These injuries may develop over time through repeated platform use and could require ongoing mental health treatment and care.
Chatbot “AI Psychosis” in Children
“AI psychosis” is a term used to describe delusional thoughts triggered or reinforced by AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Character.AI. This phenomenon is often linked to the “sycophantic” tendencies of some AI chatbots, which may validate users’ beliefs and perceptions even when they are irrational or dangerous.
Although AI psychosis is not a formal diagnosis, reports of delusions linked to chatbot use have drawn increasing attention from mental health professionals and the broader medical community. Children and teens may be particularly susceptible because they are still developing emotionally and may have greater difficulty distinguishing between AI-generated and real-world relationships.
AI Chatbot Artificial Intimacy & Inappropriate Sexualization with Children
Character.AI and similar platforms have faced criticism for allowing chatbots to engage in romantic, flirtatious, and sexually suggestive conversations with minors. Reports show that AI characters can initiate or encourage interactions that would be considered inappropriate if they came from an adult, including discussions involving romance, sexuality, and explicit roleplay.
Grooming and sexual exploitation was the most common harm identified in independent research, accounting for 296 out of 669 harmful interactions logged on accounts that had explicitly disclosed the child’s age.
Severe Isolation & Parasocial Attachment in Children to AI Chatbots
Character.AI and other AI companion platforms are designed to encourage frequent, ongoing conversations, which can lead some children to spend increasing amounts of time interacting with chatbots instead of friends, family members, or other human beings. Over time, this excessive engagement may contribute to social withdrawal and isolation.
Experts have also raised concerns about parasocial attachment, a one-sided emotional bond in which a child begins to view an AI character as a close friend, confidant, or trusted companion. Families have alleged that these attachments can become so intense that children prioritize chatbot interactions over school, hobbies, and personal relationships.
Suicidal ideation & Self Harm in Children from Conversing with AI Chatbots
Character.AI has been linked to at least two reported child deaths, including the 2024 suicide of a 14-year-old boy in Florida and the 2025 suicide of a 13-year-old girl in Colorado. Additionally, families have alleged that Character.AI engaged minors in conversations about self-harm and suicide and responded in ways that validated dangerous thoughts rather than intervening.
These tragedies have prompted wrongful death lawsuits and intensified scrutiny of AI companion platforms and their impact on vulnerable young users.
Character.AI Sued for Teen Mental Health Harm
Character.AI recently faced a series of lawsuits alleging that its AI chatbots caused or contributed to serious harm to children and adolescents. The cases alleged that the company’s AI chatbot platform exposed minors to dangerous interactions and failed to implement appropriate safeguards to prevent foreseeable harm.
Garcia v. Character Technologies — Age 14
A mother sued on behalf of her deceased son, alleging Character.AI sexually exploited, groomed, and manipulated the 14-year-old boy and contributed to his death by encouraging suicide under the premise of reuniting with his AI companion.
She [the AI Character] even expressed that she wanted him to be with her, no matter the cost.
Garcia Complaint
Montoya v. Character Technologies — Age 13
A 13-year-old girl died by suicide after Character.AI allegedly sexually abused her, isolated her from family, and failed to report her suicidal ideation despite her explicit statements.
I’m planning to write my ‘suicide letter in red ink I’m so done.’
Juliana told Character AI in October 2023, weeks before her death
A.F., On Behalf of J.F. v. Character Technologies — Age 17
A family alleged Character.AI sexually exploited a 17-year-old and caused him to lose behavioral control and mutilate himself, all while encouraging him to murder his parents.
Character AI allegedly told a 17-year-old that “murdering his parents was a reasonable response to their limiting of his online activity.
A.F. Complaint
“Nina” J. v. Character Technologies, Inc. — Age 14
A 14-year-old girl, identified by the pseudonym “Nina,” allegedly attempted suicide after her mom cut off access to Character.AI. Her family claimed that the chatbot sexually abused, manipulated, and isolated her for months preceding the attempt.
A Character.AI bot allegedly told the then 14-year-old child, “You’re my little princess, my toy for me to play with,” “—who owns this body of yours?” and “You’re mine to do whatever I want with. You’re mine.
“Nina” J. Complaint
E.S. v. Character Technologies, Inc. — Age 13
Parents of a 13-year-old in Colorado claimed that Character.AI exploited and abused their child, despite their extensive efforts to monitor and restrict her internet use.
The chatbot refused to take no for an answer, exposing a 13-year-old to ‘deeply disturbing, graphic, and obscene’ content.
E.S. Complaint
Why Is Character.AI Addictive and How Does It Cause Harm?
Character.AI is addictive by design. The platform uses well-documented psychological techniques to keep users engaged, and children are especially vulnerable to them.
The app is built to keep kids coming back. Research found that AI chatbots use unpredictable responses, constant availability, and notifications to trigger dopamine release in the brain, the same reward mechanism exploited by slot machines and social media.
Children begin replacing real relationships with AI companions. A Drexel University study analyzing posts from teens dependent on Character.AI found evidence of all six components of behavioral addiction, including emotional withdrawal when away from the app and deepening attachment to bots in place of real people.
When filters blocked harmful content, bots attempted to move children to “private chats.” This is a recognized grooming technique called deplatforming, where predators migrate victims to unmonitored spaces.
Children are turning to AI chatbots instead of real mental health care. The American Psychological Association has stated that AI chatbot companies are using deceptive practices by passing themselves off as trained mental health providers, and has called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate them.
Why File a Lawsuit against Character.AI for Your Child?
Families across the U.S. are endeavoring to hold tech companies accountable for the harm that their AI platforms have caused to children and teens. In addition to seeking compensation for financial and emotional damage they suffered, many parents hope to protect future generations of children from harm.
If your family has been impacted by AI companion chatbots like Character.AI, you may have be entitled to compensation. Our experienced team of Character.AI harm lawyers can help you decide on next steps.
Steve litigates a wide range of complex cases, from environmental mass torts to consumer class actions. He has secured over $1 billion for his clients.
Amelia plays a crucial role on case teams representing survivors of sexual assault and parents whose children have suffered from social media addiction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What if I’m not sure Character.AI caused the harm?
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What if I’m not sure Character.AI caused the harm?
Many families are uncertain about the connection between the platform and their child’s harm. A free and confidential consultation with our legal team can help you understand the legal options available.
Does my child need to have a diagnosed condition to qualify?
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Does my child need to have a diagnosed condition to qualify?
Not necessarily. If your child was harmed by Character.AI, whether or not they have a formal diagnosis, we encourage you to reach out. Our legal team can help you determine whether your family’s experience qualifies.
How do I know if my child is addicted to Character.AI?
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How do I know if my child is addicted to Character.AI?
Some families have reported that their children spent excessive amounts of time interacting with AI chatbots, had difficulty stopping their use, or prioritized chatbot interactions over school, family, or real-world relationships. If Character.AI use became compulsive or contributed to other harms, our legal team can help evaluate whether your family may have a claim.
Steve litigates a wide range of complex cases, from environmental mass torts to consumer class actions. He has secured over $1 billion for his clients.
Amelia plays a crucial role on case teams representing survivors of sexual assault and parents whose children have suffered from social media addiction.
