Meta to alert parents if teenagers discuss suicide or self-harm with Instagram AI chatbot

Meta is introducing a new safety feature that will alert parents when teenagers have conversations with the company’s Instagram AI chatbot that suggest they may be thinking about suicide or self-harm.

The new system is designed to give parents an early warning when their child’s conversations with Meta AI raise concerns. The feature works alongside Instagram’s parental supervision tools and aims to help families provide support when teenagers may be experiencing serious emotional difficulties.

Meta said that when a teenager shows signs of possible self-harm thoughts, the AI chatbot will provide support resources and encourage them to speak with a trusted adult. The company said flagged conversations will be reviewed before alerts are sent to parents, although it may act cautiously when the situation is unclear.

The move comes as technology companies face increasing pressure from parents, experts and regulators over how artificial intelligence tools interact with young people, particularly in sensitive situations involving mental health and wellbeing.

Meta has already introduced other safety measures for teenagers, including parental notifications linked to searches for suicide and self-harm content on Instagram. The company says the goal is to give parents more information and resources to support their children online.

However, some experts have raised concerns about privacy, accuracy and whether automated systems can fully understand the context behind a teenager’s conversation. They say technology can support families but should not replace professional help or personal conversations between young people and trusted adults.

The latest update highlights the growing debate around the role of artificial intelligence in young people’s lives, balancing online safety with privacy and freedom of communication.