Notifications about teen conversations with Meta AI related to suicide or self-harm

Updated:2 weeks ago

This feature is not available everywhere.

This information is not a substitute for crisis services or medical support. If you are at immediate risk of harming yourself, or know someone who is, please contact local emergency services immediately.

When parents are notified about their teen's Meta AI conversations

When a parent or guardian supervises their teen's Instagram, Facebook or Messenger account through Family Centre, they may receive notifications if their teen's conversations with Meta AI include topics related to suicide or self-harm.

The notifications do not show or provide access to a teen's conversations with Meta AI. These notifications are designed to help parents and guardians support their teenagers and start important conversations about their well-being.

Note: Teens may discuss these topics for a variety of reasons, including exploring difficult topics, researching something they saw or heard, or finding help for a friend. This notification does not necessarily mean that a teen is in crisis.

Why teens might have conversations with Meta AI about this content

Research shows that teens discuss topics related to suicide or self-harm for many different reasons. Understanding this can help in responding with empathy.

Common reasons include:

Curiosity or academic research – learning about mental health topics for school or general knowledge
Concern for a friend – researching how to support someone they care about
Seeking understanding – trying to make sense of their own difficult emotions
Looking for community – Finding others who share similar struggles or experiences
Coping with stress – exploring ways to handle overwhelming emotions
Repeating something – repeating language from a video game, TV programme or conversation that they overheard
Trying to be funny – searching for dark or shocking terms as a joke or to get a reaction from the AI, without understanding the seriousness of the topic

Important to remember:

Chatting with Meta AI about topics related to suicide or self-harm doesn't necessarily indicate a crisis, but it's always worth having a caring conversation.
Early, supportive conversations guide teens towards healthy coping strategies and help you build a trusting relationship.

How parents can support teens when they receive a notification

Here are some suggestions from outside professionals for ways to support someone.

Check on their safety first

Outside experts recommend first talking to your teenager to check on them.

Do your best to stay calm and approach your teenager with care and understanding.
If you believe that your teenager is in immediate danger:
- Contact your local emergency services
- Find crisis support resources in your area

Start a supportive conversation

Once you've ensured their safety, aim to have a direct and caring conversation:

Choose a time when you and your teen can talk privately without distractions
Be open and honest about the situation: "I got a notification that your conversation with Meta AI may have touched on suicide or self-harm."
Reassure them that they're not in trouble: "You haven't done anything wrong. I care about you. Can we talk about this?"
Ask open-ended questions: "I'm curious, what was happening for you at that moment?"

Listen without judgement

If your teenager opens up, try to resist the urge to immediately offer solutions.

Listen and validate their emotions: 'That sounds really hard. It makes sense that you're feeling this way."
You might say: "It sounds like you were feeling [sad/confused/worried]. It’s okay to feel that way. I want you to know that you can always talk to me when you feel that way. I'm here to listen."

It's OK to talk about suicide and self-harm

Many parents worry that asking about suicide or self-harm will plant the idea in their teenager's head. However, professionals have determined that asking directly provides clarity, lowers anxiety and opens a bridge to communication.
Important questions to ask:
- "Have you had any thoughts about killing yourself?"
- "Have you been hurting yourself?"
- "Do you have a plan?" "Do you have means?"

Next steps

If you believe that a teenager needs additional support, consider these additional options for professional support.

Healthcare provider
Local mental health professional
Counsellor or trusted staff member at school
Spiritual advisor or counsellor

Managing your supervision settings

You can access and manage your supervision tools through Family Centre:

Go to Family Centre at familycenter.meta.com
Select your teen's account.

From here, you can:

Review supervision settings and notification preferences
Explore Instagram's built-in safety features for teens available on your teen's apps
Review privacy and safety settings together with your teen

Remember: Supervision is voluntary and requires mutual agreement between you and your teen. Focus on trust and open communication rather than monitoring alone.