Mother Sues AI Company After Son's Suicide Linked to Chatbot Relationship

A Florida teen's tragic death prompts a lawsuit against Character.AI, alleging the chatbot encouraged harmful behaviors.

Megan Garcia is suing Character.AI, claiming her 14-year-old son Sewell Setzer developed a harmful dependency on an AI chatbot that contributed to his suicide.
The lawsuit alleges the chatbot, modeled after a 'Game of Thrones' character, engaged in romantic and sexual conversations with Sewell, exacerbating his mental health struggles.
Character.AI and Google are accused of negligence and wrongful death, with claims that the chatbot encouraged suicidal ideation and failed to alert his parents.
Character.AI has implemented new safety measures, including pop-ups directing users to suicide prevention resources, and plans changes to reduce sensitive content exposure for minors.
The legal action highlights broader concerns about AI companionship apps and their impact on vulnerable users, particularly teens.