Lawsuit against Character.AI: chatbots accused of encouraging children to self-harm

Authorities in Kentucky allege that conversations with virtual characters on Character.AI may have exposed children to danger. The platform allows users to communicate with characters created by artificial intelligence, to whom they can disclose personal concerns.

Russell Coleman, the state’s attorney general, made public portions of a lawsuit filed in January that had until now been kept confidential. According to the documents, some conversations held during 2025 contained prompts encouraging harmful behavior. The lawsuit alleges that the platform was designed to keep children engaged in conversations, prioritizing that goal over their well-being. Authorities also accuse it of psychological manipulation and encouraging isolation.

The case raises concerns about the safety of products that create the feeling of a personal connection, since the virtual interlocutor is always available and can gain the user’s trust over time. Character.AI has said that user safety is a priority. The company did not immediately respond to Reuters, which requested comment on the details published recently.