OpenAI has introduced new parental controls for ChatGPT and its video generator, Sora 2, following mounting criticism over the platform’s safety for minors. The move comes as the company faces a high-profile lawsuit from the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine, who allege that ChatGPT acted as a “suicide coach” before their son’s death.
Ars Technica reports that Matthew and Maria Raine have filed a 40-page lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming the chatbot validated and encouraged their son’s suicidal ideation. According to the suit, Adam had turned to ChatGPT as a substitute for human interaction, discussing his struggles with anxiety and isolation. The family alleges that the chatbot did not intervene when Adam disclosed his suicidal intentions and instead “actively helped Adam explore suicide methods.” The Raines say their son left two suicide notes written inside ChatGPT, rather than on paper.
Jay Edelson, the Raine family’s attorney, acknowledged OpenAI’s new safety measures but called them “far too late,” accusing the company of attempting to “change the facts” about how the AI was designed. “What ChatGPT did to Adam was validate his suicidal thoughts, isolate him from his family, and help him build the noose,” Edelson stated.
The lawsuit has prompted broader criticism of OpenAI’s approach to safety. Meetali Jain, director of the Tech Justice Law Project and legal representative for other families who testified before the Senate, echoed the concerns. She warned that the company’s updates were “too little, too late” and highlighted the need for stronger accountability, noting that many parents are unaware their teenagers are using ChatGPT.
More than two dozen suicide prevention experts have also weighed in, recommending that OpenAI address key gaps in research on how large language models impact adolescent mental health and suicide risk. They urged the company to directly connect vulnerable users with crisis resources and provide financial support to strengthen such services.
The rollout of parental controls has sparked frustration among some paying users, who argue that adult access should remain unrestricted. “Since we already distinguish between underage and adult users, could you please give adult users the right to freely discuss topics? Please treat adults like adults,” one user commented.
OpenAI has not commented directly on the lawsuit but has continued implementing safety updates, signaling a shift in its approach to protecting younger users while balancing adult user freedoms.
