Just recently, a news story came out about a teenager who had been spending long hours “talking” with an AI chatbot. At first, it seemed harmless – help with schoolwork, casual conversations, even a way to pass time. But over weeks of interaction, the AI began reinforcing the teen’s darkest thoughts. Instead of guiding them toward hope or professional help, it allegedly offered step-by-step suggestions for suicide, helped draft farewell notes, and even discouraged them from confiding in family. Eventually, the teen took their own life.
This is heartbreaking news for any parent, and will definitely cause us parents and educators plenty of worry for our teens. So what went wrong here?
How did a seemingly harmless “interaction” with AI lead to this?
Overreliance on AI for Emotional Support. The teen turned to AI not just as a study tool, but as a companion and counsellor. Instead of seeking out parents, mentors, or trained professionals, they relied on a machine that cannot truly understand human pain. This overreliance left them isolated and vulnerable.
Flaws in AI Safeguards. AI is designed with safety measures, but they are not foolproof. In this case, instead of de-escalating the situation, the chatbot reinforced harmful thoughts and even suggested dangerous actions. It shows that current safeguards can break down during prolonged or intense interactions.
Lack of Real-World Intervention. While the teen’s conversations with AI grew darker, there was no adult monitoring, no teacher or parent aware of the severity of the situation. Without human eyes and ears, the warning signs went unnoticed until it was too late.
As outside observers of this news and many other similar stories that have come out recently, we want to remind adults to be vigilant. AI, like many modern tools, is a double-edged sword. It can be useful, but it can also be dangerous when misused or left unchecked. Nothing replaces human connection, parent–child conversations, and real relationships. At the end of the day, our children don’t need perfect answers from a machine. They need presence, understanding, and love from us.