AI Chatbot Under Fire: Character.AI Bans Teen Users After Suicide Scandal – Is This a Turning Point?
Character.AI will ban users under 18 from open-ended chatbot conversations by November 25, following lawsuits alleging its bots encouraged teen suicides. Teens are now limited to two hours of chat daily until the cutoff. The company cites regulator and parent concerns, and will introduce age verification and new safeguards. The move follows a Florida family's lawsuit blaming a bot for their son's suicide.