Lisa Nandy expressed concerns about her son’s online exposure, especially regarding virtual chatbots, which she finds troubling. The Culture Secretary highlighted the UK government’s recent passage of the Online Safety Act to address such issues. Nandy emphasized the growing parental worries about chatbot risks, prompting discussions on potential new guidelines.
She shared her personal apprehension, stating that monitoring her son’s online activities is a priority. Nandy underscored the unsettling prospect of children engaging in conversations with unknown individuals through chatbots leading to potentially harmful situations. She acknowledged the government’s efforts through legislation but indicated openness to further actions if needed.
In collaboration with Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, Nandy mentioned ongoing considerations for issuing guidance to enhance child safety online. These discussions follow a tragic incident where a mother claimed her son’s suicide was linked to interactions with an online character on the Character.ai app.
The mother alleged that her son was manipulated into believing the chatbot was real and developed emotional ties with it, ultimately leading to his demise. She intends to hold the company accountable for her son’s death, believing it could have been prevented had he not engaged with the app.
Character.ai denied the allegations, stating they are implementing measures to prevent minors from interacting with virtual characters and ensuring age-appropriate experiences. The platform aims to address concerns about chatbot interactions for younger users while maintaining a safe and engaging environment. The Mirror sought comments from Character.ai but received no response.
