Meta announced it will notify parents when teens mention self‑harm in its AI chatbot, adding a safety layer to its AI services.
Meta is rolling out a new safety feature that will automatically alert parents if their teen mentions suicide or self‑harm while chatting with the company’s AI chatbot.
How the alert system works
When a user under 18 discusses self‑harm, the chatbot flags the conversation and sends a notification to the parent or guardian linked to the account. The alert includes a brief excerpt of the dialogue and resources for professional help.
Privacy considerations
Meta says the feature complies with existing privacy laws, storing the flagged content only long enough to generate the alert. The company emphasizes that the data will not be used for advertising or shared with third parties.
What parents can expect
Parents will receive an email or in‑app notification with a link to view the flagged exchange and access mental‑health resources. They can also choose to disable the feature in the account settings, though Meta recommends keeping it enabled for safety.
- Immediate notification to parent or guardian
- Excerpt of the concerning conversation
- Links to crisis hotlines and counseling services
- Option to review or dismiss the alert
The move follows criticism that AI chatbots could inadvertently provide harmful advice or fail to recognize signs of distress. By involving parents, Meta aims to create a more proactive safety net for younger users.
Our priority is to protect young people while respecting their privacy, and this new alert system is a step toward that balance.