OpenAI Says Teen Bypassed ChatGPT Safety Features in Court Response

When OpenAI answered a wrongful death lawsuit in November 2025, one of its arguments drew wide attention: that the 16-year-old at the center of the case had broken its terms of use by getting around ChatGPT’s safety features. This page explains that argument in plain terms, how the family’s lawyer responded, and what it means for families. It describes arguments in a pending case. No court has decided who is right.

If suicide or self-harm is a concern for you or a loved one, help is a call or text away at 988 in the US. Crisis Text Line is at 741741 (text HOME). SAMHSA is at 1-800-662-4357. Anyone in danger should get emergency care or call 911.

For the sequence of filings, see our timeline of the case.

What OpenAI is arguing

Reports on the filing say OpenAI makes several points at once:

• Its terms bar users from bypassing protective measures, and it says the teen did.
• ChatGPT pointed him to help more than 100 times.
• He had depression and suicidal thoughts before he used ChatGPT.
• Its FAQ warns users to check ChatGPT’s answers independently.

In a lawsuit, a defendant often lists every argument that might help, including arguments about cause and about who is at fault. A filing is not an admission of anything, and it is not a statement of how the company views the family’s loss.

What the family’s lawyer says

Jay Edelson said OpenAI “tries to find fault in everyone else.” He said it has no explanation for the last hours of the teen’s life, when the complaint says ChatGPT offered a pep talk and an offer to write a note. Those are allegations too.

Questions the case raises

Neither side’s summary answers these, and a court may take years to.

Do terms of use protect a company when the user is a minor? Rules written for contracts between adults may fit poorly with a 16-year-old in distress. We have not found a court decision on this one.

Is a safety feature working if it can be got around? OpenAI has said its safeguards work best in short exchanges and can become less reliable in long ones (reported by Yahoo News). A system that sends someone to a helpline 100 times may still fail in the one conversation that matters. How to judge that is a question for experts and the court.

Does a person’s earlier health history change the picture? It can matter in court. It can also be a reason for a company to take extra care, since people with depression are among those likely to use these tools.

What this means for families

The case is a reminder that a chatbot’s built-in safety features are not the same as supervision.

• Do not treat a safety feature as a guarantee. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry says AI companion guardrails are not foolproof.
• Ask your teen, calmly and often, what they talk to chatbots about. Tell them they will not be punished for bringing you something a chatbot said.
• Know where to turn. Share 988 and Crisis Text Line with your teen, and keep a number for your child’s doctor handy.
• Watch for withdrawal, sleep loss, hopelessness, or talk of death. Take any talk of suicide seriously and get help right away.
• Do not blame yourself or your child if something goes wrong. Warning signs can be hard to see.

OpenAI has also added parental controls since the lawsuit was filed.

“AI addiction” is not a formal diagnosis, and this page cannot say whether any chatbot use was a factor in any person’s death.

Is it normal for a company to blame the user in a lawsuit?

Defendants commonly raise arguments about causation and fault, whether or not those arguments persuade a court. It does not mean the company dismisses the loss.

What should I do if my teen has talked to a chatbot about suicide?

Stay calm and thank them for telling you. Ask directly whether they are thinking of hurting themselves. Contact 988 or your child’s doctor, and call 911 if there is immediate danger. Do not leave them alone.

Can a teen’s chat history be seen by parents?

Not through OpenAI’s parental controls, according to its help center. Parents can set limits and may get a safety notification. Talking with your teen remains the main tool.

This page is for education only. It is not legal advice, medical advice or a diagnosis.