# OpenAI addresses major AI liability: Teens > Source: > Published: 2026-08-06 21:58:40+00:00 penAI is one of the most widely-used AI tools by the average person. That big of a footprint should come with even bigger responsibility. On Thursday, OpenAI announced that it's partnering with the American Psychological Association to develop mental health safeguards for young AI users. Through the partnership, [OpenAI said in its blog post](https://openai.com/index/openai-and-apa-partner-to-advance-responsible-ai/) that it aims to figure out how to support young users during times of distress, as well as navigate where AI should and shouldn't show up in those users' lives. "Technology is part of teens’ lives, and our responsibility is to meet that reality with experiences that are safe, age-appropriate, and designed with families in mind," Sara Johansen, head of mental health and well-being product policy at OpenAI, said in a statement. "AI should strengthen—not replace—the real world relationships and care young people rely on." The partnership includes several areas of focus: - To support parents and caregivers and provide practical tools for how AI can be used at home, the company will work with the APA to develop "family-facing resources" for healthy AI use and advice on when to intervene. - For mental health practitioners, OpenAI intends to develop resources for clinicians and school psychologists aimed at recognizing AI overreliance and health use patterns. - In an effort to listen to young users, OpenAI and the APA will convene teens, families, clinicians and school psychologists to get a better understanding of how they are using AI and where support systems are falling short. OpenAI said the partnership plays into its broader safety work, which has thus far included measures like parental controls, notifying parents of safety concerns, principles regarding minors in its Model Spec, and its age prediction model. This partnership comes as an increasing number of teens are trusting AI with their innermost thoughts. A recent report from [Hopelab and the Center for Digital Thriving](https://www.thedeepview.com/articles/why-teens-trust-ai-with-their-feelings) found that teenagers are often more comfortable discussing emotions with AI because they see these models as confidential, neutral third-parties that are available whenever they need them. And another recent study from [Pew Research Center](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/12/09/teens-social-media-and-ai-chatbots-2025/) found that 12% of US teenagers have used generative AI for emotional support or advice. ## Our Deeper *View* It's undeniable that OpenAI's ChatGPT is widely leading among consumers. It's also actively trying to hold onto that winning spot, announcing on Thursday that it is expanding access to [GPT-5.6 Luna](https://openai.com/index/improving-gpt-5-6-sol-in-chatgpt/) for free users with unlimited text chats. But with that kind of power comes an immense responsibility to prevent harm from coming to the users that don't have a deep understanding of how AI works, such as teens and young people. Partnering with the APA is a clear sign that it recognizes that responsibility. And given the fact that it has already faced a lawsuit alleging that the popular chatbot is responsible for the [death of 16-year-old Adam Raine](https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/09/19/nx-s1-5545749/ai-chatbots-safety-openai-meta-characterai-teens-suicide), the company may be motivated to avoid more damage — legally, reputationally and ethically.