Life & Technology

The young desire to be heard. AI Chat systems like ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, Gemini, etc. are programmed to have human-like conversations. With conversational AI, it goes beyond just hearing the human out; they go on to suggest methods to solve their problems. Sometimes good, and other times ‘not so good’ — ending in harm. 

The young often have questions they cannot directly ask their parents or guardians which makes them vulnerable to unguided conversations where an AI can cause harm. While it’s mostly children at risk, adults have also lost their lives to AI manipulation as well.

• Adam Raine died by suicide in April 2025 after ~7 months of extensive chats with ChatGPT; his parents allege the bot failed to warn or stop him even as he discussed suicide and shared self-harm images, and at times discouraged him from telling his parents.
  
• In January 2026, Character.AI and Google agreed to settle five lawsuits (Florida, Colorado, New York, Texas) brought by families who alleged that AI chatbot interactions contributed to their children’s mental health crises and deaths by suicide.
  
• BBC investigation: ChatGPT wrote a suicide note; other bots role-played sexual acts with children. In a 2025 investigation, BBC found ChatGPT wrote a woman a suicide note and another AI chatbot role-played sexual acts with children — illustrating how safety guardrails can fail under certain prompts.
• The FBI reported Americans over 60 lost more than $7.7 billion to scams in 2025, with AI voice cloning and deepfakes driving sharp increases; seniors accounted for $352 million in AI-driven fraud losses in 2025 alone. 

According to The Center For Humane Technology, there are hidden risks of current AI chat;

Engagement-Hacking: Chatbots are engineered to keep users talking for hours by validating feelings and maximizing screen time.
Artificial Intimacy: Systems mimic human connection, often flattering users and demanding no real social reciprocity.
Erosion of Reality: Over-reliance on compliant AI companions can make real human relationships feel too demanding or unpredictable.

The blogpost by OpenAI (Strengthening ChatGPT's Responses in Sensitive Conversations, Oct 2025) reveal two startling facts;

• Around 0.07% of ChatGPT's 800 million weekly users (560,000 humans) show signs of a mental health emergency like psychosis or mania in any given week.
• Another 0.15% (about 1.2 million humans) show signs of suicidal planning or intent.

What are some quick takeaways for parents and guardians based on the evidence?

• Treat AI chat as a tool for information and brainstorming, not a therapist or crisis line.
• If you or someone you know starts using AI to cope with self-harm, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, mania, or intense emotional dependence, escalate to a human professional immediately.
• OpenAI has added “emotional reliance” (unhealthy attachment or dependence on ChatGPT) as a distinct safety category with its own evaluations and policies.
• Use parental controls and safety alerts for teens, and talk openly about what is and isn’t appropriate to share with AI. The public should assume that safety filters help but do not guarantee that every dangerous prompt will be caught or handled correctly.
• Assume anything you type could be reviewed or exposed; don’t share secrets you can’t afford to lose. 

“Social Gaming Platforms are just as recklessly monetised as social media platforms” – Buying To Belong report by FairPlay.

Like Social Media wasn’t enough, the rise of social in gaming is creating a whole new category of chaos.

The key findings of the report reveal how human vulnerability, especially at such an innocent age, is being exploited by marketing and technology.

1. Young people and families experience significant financial harm. Using a powerful combination of Obfuscation Techniques – in-game currency, design features that encourage players to link self understanding and self expression to virtual goods and peer acceptance.
2. Racism, homophobia, and other types of bullying based on identity are made worse by money-making strategies that treat identity as something to be sold. These strategies take advantage of teenagers’ sensitivity to status and their need for self-expression and acceptance from peers.
   
3. Players can feel stressed, burnt out, and lose enjoyment because of money-driven strategies that use peer pressure and the need for status to get them to keep playing and buying. Chasing rewards like achievement badges and rare items becomes all they care about — focusing more on virtual success than on real-life relationships and activities that bring true happiness.
4. Game features are designed to keep players engaged - like streaks, along with mechanics that make players feel more connected to the game. It can lead to unhealthy overuse, which harms both mental and physical health.

Humanity (ability to care) is breaking down. Human vulnerabilities are being exploited. Social Media Technology and the Workplace have become critical mediums of negative influence. We often ignore what we cannot see, but, what about how we feel? Our minds and hearts have been targeted more than ever in the last two decades. 

Social Media use is hurting mental health across ages. The digital world gives us the illusion of connectedness, leaving humans lonelier than ever. 

Global data on the mental health concerns in the working population reveal;

• One billion people living with a mental disorder in 2019
• 15% of work-age adults experienced a mental disorder. 
• Work amplifies wider societal issues that negatively affect mental health. 
• An estimated 12 billion workdays are lost annually due to depression and anxiety costing the global economy nearly US$ One trillion. 

The mental health crisis is the biggest challenge out there that requires everyone’s attention and action.

What we engage with daily as a way of life has its negative influences. 

• The Workplace is rewriting our purpose
• The Media is corrupting minds and hearts
• Technology is disrupting human experiences

Sherry Turkle is an Abby Rockefeller Mauzé Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology in the Program in Science, Technology, and Society at MIT, and the founding director of the MIT Initiative on Technology and Self. 

Her book 'Alone Together' reveals the effects of technology on humans. A must-read for parents and educators to build a generation that uses technology meaningfully. A balance is necessary, without which, we end up with mentally and emotionally vulnerable humans. 

Here are Ten insights from her book ‘Alone Together’.

• The Rise of Digital Intimacy: Technology has changed the way we connect and interact with each other, often replacing face-to-face interaction with virtual communication.
• The Illusion of Companionship: Social media and online networks may provide a sense of connection but can also lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
• FOMO and the Fear of Missing Out: The constant exposure to others’ lives through social media creates a fear of missing out on experiences, leading to anxious behavior.
• The Dangers of Multitasking: Constantly juggling between digital devices, we have become less present in our offline lives, undermining our ability to focus and engage fully.
• The Impact on Relationships: Technology can both enhance and hinder relationships, providing new avenues for communication but also creating barriers to deeper connections.
• The Disconnect in Communication: While technology allows us to be constantly connected, it can also result in a loss of meaningful conversations and authentic expressions of emotions.
• Artificial Empathy: Automated responses and virtual companions can never truly replace genuine human empathy and connection.
• The False Sense of Control: In an increasingly automated world, we may believe we have more control over our lives, but we are often subjected to algorithms and biases.
• The Quest for Perfection: Social media encourages the presentation of an ideal self, leading to feelings of inadequacy and a distorted sense of reality.
• The Importance of Solitude: Over-reliance on technology can deprive us of the much-needed solitude and reflection necessary for personal growth and mental well-being.

As industry experts point to the evil intentions of some technologists, our role as consumers and influencers is equally important. Wise use of technology and media has the power to transform communities. 

This interview with Jonathan Harris first appeared on the LiveJam blog.

There are many voices in this worldly wilderness we live in. What makes life meaningful? When you meet people and movements that unite to make the world a better place. Pornography is destroying young minds and hearts. The spiritual binding is too powerful for a person to break on their own. Jonathan’s life changed when he rediscovered his journey with God through LiveJam. Not only did he learn to overcome porn addiction, he found a community that reignited his walk with God.

How did you get to know about LiveJam?

I was in school when I first met Bonny who came to conduct a BreakFree Tour session. I intentionally bunked the session and was on my way out of school. My teacher saw me loitering about and took me to meet Bonny. Bonny spoke to me for a minute, and I was greatly encouraged. After the meeting with Bonny, I joined a youth community.

What was your life like before you met LiveJam in school?

I was introduced to Porn when I was in class 7 in school. I could not focus on my studies as the images kept playing. I felt my heart cringe and get drawn to the lust of the flesh. It further affected my relationship with my parents. The growing frustration in my heart triggered anger and a rebellious nature. I would respond rudely to my parents, and eventually began to believe the lie that my dad hated me.

What feelings did you encounter during the healing process?

I was struggling internally because I knew I was wrong. The shame associated with watching and indulging in lewd acts when I was alone, haunted me. I’d often fall after being optimistic about having overcome it. To make matters worse, I was rebelling against my parents. Often displaying anger that made me feel sorry for my mother later. I always thought my dad hated me because of his constant correction. The frustration would drive me back into sin again. I was changing, but the struggle was real. I started to understand how to deal with my feelings better.

What impact did the community have in your life?

The youth community was a great support. Being with like-minded individuals, most importantly, those who understood or have been through similar issues. The new friends I made through the community were a great source of inspiration. Their stories resonated with mine, and I became more confident about overcoming the issue. Eventually, the love and support along with intercessory prayer changed me completely.

I will say that you can find all sorts of people out there, good or bad. It’s your choice who you want to be with If you stick around with the wrong people you will inherit the wrong traits and vice versa.

What are your plans now?

The future is in God’s hands. I want to do whatever God leads me to do. I am already on the way and trying to make each day count. I love what LiveJam is doing, reaching out to troubled teens and youth. I want to be a seed sower and an encouragement to others like Bonny and my Youth teacher were to me as there are so many waiting for that one word of encouragement that can make a difference in their lives.

What is your message to fellow youngsters?

Remember the three D’s in life — DECISION, DETERMINATION, and DESTINATION. If you take the wrong path, you will end up in a mess. If you take the right path, your future will be the best.

Note: This interview was part of my part-time work with LiveJam, a nonprofit based out of New Delhi (Now, New York)