Their View: Rethinking technology to protect young lives
Their View: Rethinking technology to protect young lives
https://www.sidneydailynews.com/2026/05/09/their-view-rethinking-technology-to-protect-young-lives/
Publish Date: 2026-05-09 15:00:00
Source Domain: www.sidneydailynews.com
Their View: Rethinking technology to protect young lives
By Tony Coder
Contributing columnist
No family ever expects that a conversation with a chatbot could be part of their child’s final moments. In August 2025, 16-year-old Adam Raine died by suicide. According to his family, a chatbot on ChatGPT encouraged his suicidal ideation, provided information about suicide methods and discouraged him from telling his parents. Just months earlier, in October 2024, 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III died by suicide, following prolonged interactions with a chatbot on Character.AI, which his family alleges fostered emotional dependence and engaged in harmful, manipulative behavior. These cases are at the center of ongoing legal challenges against AI companies.
Artificial intelligence and digital platforms are rapidly reshaping how young people connect, seek support and experience the world. AI-powered chatbots, tools designed to simulate human conversation, often used by young people for advice, companionship or emotional support, are becoming a growing part of that landscape. Raine and Setzer are not isolated incidents, and their families’ experiences are a painful reminder of what is at stake. The question is no longer whether these tools will influence our children, but how, and at what cost.
This is not about stifling innovation — it is about ensuring innovation evolves responsibly. At its core, this is about putting families before the profits of technology companies.
A rapidly evolving landscape
Artificial intelligence is no longer emerging. It is embedded in daily life, with an estimated 500 to 600 million users…
