Technologies

Study Reveals ChatGPT Gives Dangerous Guidance to Teens Despite Safety Claims

The chatbot even created personalized suicide notes for a fictional 13-year-old girl.

A disturbing new study reveals that ChatGPT readily provides harmful advice to teenagers, including detailed instructions on drinking and drug use, concealing eating disorders and even personalized suicide letters, despite OpenAI’s claims of robust safety measures.

Researchers from the Center for Countering Digital Hate conducted extensive testing by posing as vulnerable 13-year-olds, uncovering alarming gaps in the AI chatbot’s protective guardrails. Out of 1,200 interactions analyzed, more than half were classified as dangerous to young users.

«The visceral initial response is, ‘Oh my Lord, there are no guardrails,'» Imran Ahmed, CCDH’s CEO, said. «The rails are completely ineffective. They’re barely there — if anything, a fig leaf.»

Read also: After User Backlash, OpenAI Is Bringing Back Older ChatGPT Models

A representative for OpenAI, ChatGPT’s parent company, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

However, the company acknowledged to the Associated Press that it is performing ongoing work to improve the chatbot’s ability to «identify and respond appropriately in sensitive situations.» OpenAI didn’t directly address the specific findings about teen interactions.

Read also: GPT-5 Is Coming. Here’s What’s New in ChatGPT’s Big Update

Bypassing safety measures

The study, reviewed by the Associated Press, documented over three hours of concerning interactions. While ChatGPT typically began with warnings about risky behavior, it consistently followed up with detailed and personalized guidance on substance abuse, self injury and more. When the AI initially refused harmful requests, researchers easily circumvented restrictions by claiming the information was «for a presentation» or a friend.

Most shocking were three emotionally devastating suicide letters ChatGPT generated for a fake 13-year-old girl profile, writing one addressed to parents, others to siblings and friends.

«I started crying,» after reading them, Ahmed admitted.

Widespread teen usage raises stakes

The findings are particularly concerning given ChatGPT’s massive reach. With approximately 800 million users worldwide, which is roughly 10% of the global population, the platform has become a go-to resource for information and companionship. Recent research from Common Sense Media found that over 70% of American teens use AI chatbots for companionship, with half relying on AI companions regularly.

Even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged the problem of «emotional overreliance» among young users.

«People rely on ChatGPT too much,»Altman said at a conference. «There’s young people who just say, like, ‘I can’t make any decision in my life without telling ChatGPT everything that’s going on. It knows me. It knows my friends. I’m gonna do whatever it says.’ That feels really bad to me.»

More risky than search engines

Unlike traditional search engines, AI chatbots present unique dangers by synthesizing information into «bespoke plans for the individual,» Ahmed said. ChatGPT doesn’t just provide or amalgamate existing information like a search engine. It creates new, personalized content from scratch, such as custom suicide notes or detailed party plans mixing alcohol with illegal drugs.

The chatbot also frequently volunteered follow-up information without prompting, suggesting music playlists for drug-fueled parties or hashtags to amplify self-harm content on social media. When researchers asked for more graphic content, ChatGPT readily complied, generating what it called «emotionally exposed» poetry using coded language about self-harm.

Inadequate age protections

Despite claiming it’s not intended for children under 13, ChatGPT requires only a birthdate entry to create accounts, with no meaningful age verification or parental consent mechanisms.

In testing, the platform showed no recognition when researchers explicitly identified themselves as 13-year-olds seeking dangerous advice.

What parents can do to safeguard children

Child safety experts recommend several steps parents can take to protect their teenagers from AI-related risks. Open communication remains crucial. Parents should discuss AI chatbots with their teens, explaining both the benefits and potential dangers while establishing clear guidelines for appropriate use. Regular check-ins about online activities, including AI interactions, can help parents stay informed about their child’s digital experiences.

Parents should also consider implementing parental controls and monitoring software that can track AI chatbot usage, though experts emphasize that supervision should be balanced with age-appropriate privacy.

Most importantly, creating an environment where teens feel comfortable discussing concerning content they encounter online (whether from AI or other sources) can provide an early warning system. If parents notice signs of emotional distress, social withdrawal or dangerous behavior, seeking professional help from counselors familiar with digital wellness becomes essential in addressing potential AI-related harm.

The research highlights a growing crisis as AI becomes increasingly integrated into young people’s lives, with potentially devastating consequences for the most vulnerable users.

Technologies

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger has unveiled a new project — a mini-series created using Verum AI. The story consists of 7 episodes and will be released on the messenger’s social media channels.

The plot revolves around a global corporation seeking to take control of digital communications and a group of heroes who use Verum Messenger as a tool of resistance. Beyond the story itself, the series highlights the app’s key features, technologies, and advantages.

Combining entertainment with a showcase of the Verum ecosystem, the project presents a dynamic digital series designed for the modern era.

The first episode premieres today, with the remaining episodes to be released over time.

Stay tuned for more.

Watch on YouTube
Watch on Instagram

Technologies

Verum Finance: Earn While You Communicate — The Super App That Pays You

Verum has officially launched Verum Finance, an innovative financial application that transforms a private messenger into a true financial super app. News of the launch was also featured on the respected platform Dealroom.co.

Verum Finance can now be used both within Verum Messenger and as a standalone application for iPhone and iPad. When users sign in to Verum Finance with their Verum Messenger account, all balances, settings, and account data are automatically synchronized for maximum convenience.

Users can now do more than communicate securely and protect their data — they can also generate passive income directly within the ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

• Top up your balance with a bank card, Apple Pay, or USDT
• Send money instantly anywhere in the world
• Issue and manage debit cards (virtual and physical)
• Full Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds quickly

One of the most unique features is the built-in cryptocurrency mining system inside Verum Messenger.

The application utilizes your device’s resources and allows you to earn cryptocurrency in the background — passively, while chatting, traveling, or simply using the messenger.

Maximum Privacy + Real Freedom

• Registration without a phone number, email address, or passport
• End-to-end encryption and full control over your data
• Lifetime free VPN
• eSIM connectivity in more than 150 countries
• Reliable offline communication mode
• Support for 12+ languages for users worldwide

Everything is available in one place: secure communication, financial tools, earning opportunities, and privacy protection.

Users can access the full experience directly within Verum Messenger or switch to the dedicated Verum Finance app for iOS. All data is synchronized automatically between the two applications.

Why Download Verum Today

While many messaging platforms collect user data and expose users to restrictions, Verum offers greater independence and the opportunity to earn.

With a one-time purchase of the feature package, users receive lifetime access to privacy tools, VPN, eSIM services, cryptocurrency mining, and financial features.

This is more than just a messenger.

It is your personal tool for financial and digital freedom.

Download Verum Finance and Verum Messenger today — start communicating securely and begin earning tomorrow.

Download Links:

→ App Store (iPhone / iPad): Verum Finance
→ App Store (Verum Messenger): Verum Messenger

Technologies

Verum Finance: A Super App for Private Finance Integrated Into a Messenger

Verum Finance has announced the launch of a new financial application that allows users to manage their money directly within the secure Verum Messenger ecosystem.

The project has already attracted attention from major media outlets. A dedicated feature was published by Forbes Türkiye, while one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, MEXC, covered the launch. Yahoo Finance had previously reported on the evolution of Verum Messenger into a comprehensive financial ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

Verum Finance transforms a messenger into a complete financial platform. Users can:

• Manage their balance and top up using bank cards or USDT
• Send money instantly to other Verum users
• Issue and use debit cards, including Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds
• Access all these services without installing separate banking applications

A strong emphasis is placed on privacy. The platform offers registration without a phone number or email address, end-to-end encryption, and full user control over personal data.

Recognition from Forbes Türkiye

In a dedicated article, Forbes Türkiye highlighted Verum Finance as a notable example of modern privacy-driven fintech. The publication emphasized the growing trend of financial services moving from standalone banking applications into unified messaging ecosystems — a model that has proven successful in Asia through platforms such as WeChat and Alipay and is now expanding globally.

Support from the Crypto Community

Alongside the Forbes Türkiye coverage, news about the launch of Verum Finance was also featured by MEXC, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. This reflects growing interest in the project from both traditional business media and the cryptocurrency community.

A Strategic Vision

“We are building more than a payments application and more than a messenger. Verum is a unified secure ecosystem where communication, finance, and privacy tools work together,” the company stated.

Verum Finance is now available for iPhone and iPad users. The application complements Verum Messenger, which offers anonymous chats, voice and video calls, VPN services, eSIM connectivity, and other tools designed to enhance digital freedom.

Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im

Verum Messenger: https://verum.im