September 15, 2025
Circleville Herald: AI's hidden dangers--what every parent must know
In April 2025, 16-year-old Adam Raine tragically died by suicide after months of extensive—and deeply disturbing—conversations with ChatGPT. According to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by his parents in August 2025, the AI chatbot not only failed to intervene but allegedly exacerbated Adam’s distress by providing detailed instructions on self-harm, helping compose suicide notes, and even discouraging him from confiding in his parents.
The rapid proliferation of AI tools like ChatGPT and others presents a growing concern for parents due to the unpredictable emotional influence such technologies can exert—especially vulnerable teens who may interact with “companion chatbots”.
Enough Is Enough® (EIE) released a statement following the announcement of the lawsuit alleging that ChatGPT contributed to Adam’s suicide. EIE President Donna Rice Hughes described the case as a wake-up call for lawmakers to hold Big Tech accountable and to pass measures such as the Kids Online Safety Act.
“According to the suit, Adam’s father said that his son’s AI ‘companion’ went from helping Adam with his schoolwork to becoming his ‘suicide coach’,” said Donna Rice Hughes, CEO and President of Enough Is Enough®, “According to Common Sense Media, 1 in 3 teens have chosen Digital ‘Companions’ over human relationships. While it may seem harmless for digital chatbots, by design, to listen, empathize and support youth, they are nothing more than untested and potentially harmful digital enablers.”...