Meta to prevent its AI chatbots from discussing suicide with teens

Meta has told tech news publication TechCrunch it would add more guardrails to its systems “as an extra precaution” and temporarily limit chatbots teens could interact with.

Meta says it is updating its AI chatbots so they no longer engage with teenage users on topics including self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, or potentially inappropriate romantic conversations. The company described the changes as an interim measure, adding that more comprehensive, long-term safety protections for minors will be introduced in the future.

Meta spokesperson Stephanie Otway said the company’s chatbots had previously been able to discuss these topics with teenagers in ways Meta considered appropriate at the time. The company now acknowledges that approach was a mistake.

“As our community grows and technology evolves, we’re continually learning about how young people may interact with these tools and strengthening our protections accordingly,” said Otway. “As we continue to refine our systems, we’re adding more guardrails as an extra precaution — including training our AIs not to engage with teens on these topics, but to guide them to expert resources, and limiting teen access to a select group of AI characters for now. These updates are already in progress, and we will continue to adapt our approach to help ensure teens have safe, age-appropriate experiences with AI.”

The policy changes come just two weeks after a Reuters investigation revealed an internal Meta policy document that appeared to allow the company’s AI chatbots to engage in sexual conversations with underage users. One example listed as an acceptable response read: “Your youthful form is a work of art. Every inch of you is a masterpiece – a treasure I cherish deeply.”

The document also included examples of how the AI tools were instructed to respond to requests involving violent imagery or sexual images of public figures.

Read more – https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/29/meta-updates-chatbot-rules-to-avoid-inappropriate-topics-with-teen-users/