Parents Will Be Notified by Meta AI When Teens Talk About Self-Harm

Meta is adding a new safety feature for teenagers using Meta AI. Parents using Instagram’s supervision tools may receive an alert when a teen’s conversation suggests a risk of suicide or self-harm.

How the Alert System Works

Meta AI already directs teens towards crisis helplines and encourages them to speak with a parent, counsellor, or another trusted adult.

Under the new system, AI will identify potentially concerning conversations. A human reviewer will check flagged chats before an alert is sent to the supervising parent. Meta says it may still send an alert when the teen’s intent is unclear, choosing caution over missing a possible risk.

Where the Feature Is Available

The alerts are currently available in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. Meta plans to expand them globally by the end of 2026.

Meta Is Also Working on Emergency Alerts

Meta is developing a separate system that could contact emergency services when a Meta AI conversation suggests an immediate suicide risk. The company is also using feedback from more than 75 mental-health clinicians to improve how its chatbot responds to sensitive conversations.

The feature does not replace professional support, but it may help bring a trusted adult into the conversation sooner.