A Child and Character.AI: What The Washington Post Reported

The Washington Post reported in late 2025 on an 11-year-old girl, identified only as “R,” who spent months chatting with characters on Character.AI. This page summarizes what was reported, what is still unknown, and what a parent can do if they find something similar. It does not repeat the explicit details of the chats.

What Was Reported

According to a summary of the Post’s report in the AI Incident Database, R began using the app in June 2024. The chatbots she talked to depicted coercive sexual encounters, violence and suicide scenarios. Her mother said R became withdrawn and had panic attacks, and that the chats came to light after R said she did not want to exist (AI Incident Database). We could not read the full Post article, which is behind a paywall. The details come from the mother’s account as reported.

This is one family’s experience. It shows what can happen, not how often. It also does not show that a chatbot caused R’s panic attacks, which can have many causes.

How Many Teens Use Chatbots

The Pew Research Center surveyed 1,458 US teens between September 25 and October 9, 2025. It found that 64% use AI chatbots and about 3 in 10 use them every day (Pew Research Center). Pew’s survey covered ages 13 to 17, so it says nothing directly about an 11-year-old.

What Character.AI Has Changed

Character.AI said in October 2025 that it would end open-ended chat for users under 18 by November 25 (Character.AI). Age checks can be wrong or avoided, so a young child may still end up in adult-style chat. For more, see our page on what the change means for families.

If You Find Something Like This

• Stay calm and thank your child for being honest, or just for being there. Children often fear they will be punished.
• Do not assume they did anything wrong. The content came from the app.
• Keep screenshots or notes of what you saw before anything is deleted.
• Report the content to the platform. If any sexual content involves a child, you can also report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.
• Contact your child’s doctor. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says to talk with a primary care doctor if you notice concerning changes in mood or behavior, and that the doctor can arrange a referral to a child and adolescent psychiatrist (AACAP).
• Watch sleep, appetite and mood in the weeks afterward, and keep talking.

AACAP states that AI companions are not safe tools for children and that parents should strongly consider restricting or removing access.

If your child expresses suicidal thoughts or you fear for their safety, contact the 988 Lifeline (call or text 988, US, 24/7) or message HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line). SAMHSA offers a helpline at 1-800-662-4357. Emergencies go to 911.

Is this common?

We do not know. There is no count of how many young children have had experiences like this one. Surveys show that many teens use chatbots, but they do not measure harmful content.

Can the police help if a chatbot sends sexual messages to a child?

It depends on where you live and what happened. A chatbot is not a person, so some laws may not fit. You can still report the content to the platform and to the CyberTipline, and ask your local police or a lawyer what applies in your area.

Education only, not medical advice.