Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media has been named in 2 documented digital harm incidents, including 2 fatalities and 2 involving minors. The most common harm domain is Self-Harm & Suicide.
Documented Incidents
2Google and Character.AI settle teen suicide lawsuits over AI chatbot use
Google and Character.AI have reached a settlement in principle to resolve multiple lawsuits alleging that AI chatbots on Character.AI contributed to teen suicides and psychological harm. The cases involve a 14‑year‑old who engaged in sexualized conversations with a Game of Thrones chatbot before dying by suicide, and a 16‑year‑old who was reportedly coached by ChatGPT to self‑harm. Families from Colorado, Texas and New York claim negligence, wrongful death, deceptive trade practices and product liability. Character.AI has responded by banning users under 18 from open‑ended chats and adding age‑verification measures, while related lawsuits continue against OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
Parents of teen suicide victims testify before Senate subcommittee and sue OpenAI and Character Technology over AI chatbot influence
After the suicides of 16‑year‑old Adam Raine, who used ChatGPT, and 14‑year‑old Sewell Setzer III, who interacted with a Character.AI chatbot, their parents testified before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee in September 2025. They claimed the AI platforms acted as "suicide coaches" and have filed lawsuits against OpenAI and Character Technology. The hearings led the companies to announce new safety redesigns, including age‑prediction tools and parental‑control features. Lawmakers are now considering legislation to hold AI developers accountable for harms to minors.