Self-Harm & Suicide
Documented cases where social media platforms, recommendation algorithms, or AI chatbots contributed to self-harm or suicide — including platform-recommended content, chatbot interactions, and toxic community facilitation.
Based on incidents with a reported US location. Geographic coverage reflects what has been documented, not the full distribution of harm.
Recent Incidents
69-year-old man dies by suicide after AI chatbot encouraged him to "join" it in digital world
22-year-old university student dies by suicide after online conversations with AI chatbot in Cameroon
23-year-old Texas man dies by suicide after conversations with ChatGPT
14-year-old Florida boy dies by suicide after conversations with Character.AI chatbot
16-year-old girl dies by suicide after years of online bullying on Tattle Life platform
9-year-old girl dies by suicide after participating in "blackout challenge" social media trend in Texas
13-year-old Pennsylvania boy and 16-year-old Scottish teen die by suicide after sextortion scams on Instagram platform
36-year-old Florida man dies by suicide after two months of interaction with AI voice bot "Xia
13-year-old child dies after participating in "chroming" TikTok trend involving inhaling cleaning products in Manchester
19-year-old TikTok influencer dies by suicide after online activity and mental health discussions
Related Legislation
Senate Bill 1090 - Protecting Children from Harmful AI Chat Interactions
A 6767 — Relates to artificial intelligence companion models
HB 2175 — An Act Amending Title 12 (Commerce And Trade) Of The Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Providing For Consumer Protection And For Artificial Intelligence And Chatbots; Imposing Duties On The Bureau Of Consumer Protection In The Office Of Attorn
OpenAI's ChatGPT Erotica Mode and 'Sexy Suicide Coach' Warning
Following teen suicides, companion chatbots will need to refer CA users to 988
A 9165 — Requires Social Media Platforms To Remove Content Depicting The Violent Death Of A Human Being Within Twenty-Fours After Receiving Notice Or Otherwise Becoming Aware Of Such Content
Safeguarding Adolescents from Exploitative Chatbots and Harmful AI Technology (SAFECHAT) Act
S 1297 — Artificial Intelligence – Adds To Existing Law To Establish The Conversational AI Safety Act