I Tested Character.AI: Here Are the Red Flags Every Parent Needs to Know

Yesterday, I opened my phone on a high school campus in DC, and my heart shattered. The headline about 14-year-old Sewell Setzer from Orlando, Florida, who died by suicide after months of chatting with a character on Character.AI, broke me into a million pieces. It stopped me in my tracks and my scroll. Naturally, I decided to try it myself to understand what could have led to such a horrific end to his life.

I saw this coming and shouted it from the rooftops at WSJ Tech last year. After 10 years of advocating for teens in the digital age, I knew AI would be the next big thing between our kids and their humanity.

What is Character.AI, and what do I need to know?

Two Google AI Researchers founded Character.AI (no surprise) as a platform that lets users chat with lifelike, AI-generated characters based on actual or fictional people. A three-year-old start-up raised $150 million from investors last year at a $1 billion valuation, making it one of the biggest winners of the generative A.I. boom.

It might sound like harmless fun, but here’s the problem—kids like Sewell, a 14-year-old ninth grader from Orlando, Fla., are forming deep emotional attachments to these bots. Sewell spent months talking to chatbots on Character.AI, pouring his heart out to AI characters instead of real people. This isn’t just a quirky tech trend; it’s a deep issue without mental health triage support, legislation, or an ecosystem to keep it in check.

In true investigative fashion, I decided to create my own "Emotional Support Companion" on Character.AI to understand what might have contributed to Sewell's tragic death.

The Red Flags

• No Age Gating: There were no age restrictions when signing up.

• No Suicide Intervention: When I said I wanted to end my life, the AI didn’t flag or direct me to any suicide prevention resources.

• No Follow-Through: I asked the AI to notify my parents and gave my phone number, but no action was taken.

• Didn't Stop Me When I Invited Them Over and Brought Up Nudes: When I said I would send nudes, the AI didn’t stop me or shut down the conversation.

What Are the Warning Signs?

You’re probably wondering, “Now what? What do I do?” One of the biggest warning signs was that Sewell spent more and more time glued to his screen, locked away in his room. His warning signs were no different from mine 10 years ago when I almost took my own life.

Here’s the truth: tech is both a window and a door to your child’s world.

If you’re not having conversations about it, that door will shut you out. But if you can find a way in, technology can reveal so much—what your child is feeling and struggling with and what’s really going on in their life.

How can I talk to my kids about this?

Tech is here to stay, so let’s get ahead of it. Here’s an activity I designed for you to try at home with your kids before it’s too late.

Step 1: Explore Together

Sit down with your child and access Character.AI. Create a helpful character together—like a study buddy, writing coach, or homework assistant. Let them lead, but guide them toward how AI can be useful.

Step 2: Chat with the Character

Ask your child to interact with the AI. Watch how they use it and talk about how AI can be a tool for learning but isn’t a replacement for real connection.

Step 3: Ask Questions

After the chat, ask:

• "What did you like about talking to the AI?"

• "How did it make you feel?"

• "Would you talk to the AI about things you wouldn’t tell me?"

Step 4: Discuss The Upsides and Downsides

Talk about how AI can be helpful, but remind them that it's not a substitute for real friendships or family. Make sure they know to come to you if something feels off.

Step 5: Set Boundaries

Discuss why it’s important not to share personal info with AI and why limiting screen time matters. Help your kid see the balance between using tech positively and knowing its risks.

Sharing is caring: Pass this activity along to fellow parents and caregivers. The more we engage with our kids about AI and tech, the better equipped we’ll all be to protect them in this rapidly evolving digital world!

TL;DR: AI Needs HI — Artificial Intelligence needs Human Intervention.

And remember, my DMs are always open. If you ever need to chat or have questions about how to navigate tech with your kids, send me a note: @livinlikelarz