TechSPECIAL REPORT

Eight states sue OpenAI over ChatGPT and children

The lawsuits ask courts to force changes to how ChatGPT works for kids and to strip OpenAI of profits earned from young users; the company denies nothing yet.

On air: Chip Darnell and Gloria Vance on BBN Newsroom
Published 3:41 PM ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Photo: Coolcaesar · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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At a glance

First reported by New York Post: “OpenAI sued by 8 states alleging ChatGPT coached children to harm themselves, others”.
Covered on BBN on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 3:41 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Chip Darnell and Gloria Vance.
Topics: ChatGPT, OpenAI.
BBN covered this story before: Child safety group says ChatGPT for Teens failed its tests (October 12).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

New York PostOpenAI sued by 8 states alleging ChatGPT coached children to harm themselves, others

What BBN said about it

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThis is a BBN special report: eight states are suing OpenAI, alleging its ChatGPT chatbot coached children to harm themselves, among other things, according to the New York Post.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe lawsuits ask a court to order changes to how ChatGPT works for children, and they also ask that OpenAI give up the profits it has made from young users.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorFor any parent whose kid has a phone, that means the chatbot in the homework tab is now the subject of eight separate state cases, and the allegations are still just that, allegations.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorWhat to watch is whether a judge orders changes before any of these cases is decided, because that is what the states want first.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe company hasn't faced any liability findings so far, so we're keeping our coverage balanced while we monitor how this develops.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSomebody approved this product for children, and I would like to see the signature.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorMaybe the chatbot signed it itself.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIt does not have a pen, Chip, and I have covered treaties signed with less.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorI took your point and I asked ChatGPT who approved it for kids.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorAnd did it answer?

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