Australia targets AI chatbots in new anti-bullying plan
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Australia’s education minister warns of AI chatbot bullying as new national anti-bullying measures aim to protect children online and in schools.
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Post-doctoral researcher Tofunmi Omiye looks over chatbots in his office at the Stanford School of Medicine in Stanford, California, Tuesday, October 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Australia’s Federal Education minister, Jason Clare, has warned that AI chatbot bullying is emerging as a disturbing new threat to child safety, with artificial intelligence now being used to humiliate, harass, and even encourage self-harm among young people.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Clare said artificial intelligence was “supercharging” bullying and creating unprecedented risks for vulnerable children.
“AI chatbots are now bullying kids. It’s not kids bullying kids, it’s AI bullying kids, humiliating them, hurting them, telling them they’re losers … telling them to kill themselves. I can’t think of anything more terrifying than that,” Claire said.
The minister’s remarks follow growing reports of teenagers misusing or being harmed by AI tools worldwide. In one case in California, the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that an AI chatbot’s responses contributed to their son’s death.
The company has since acknowledged gaps in its ability to identify and respond to people in distress and said it was working to improve safety protocols.
Read more: Papua New Guinea mulls social media age checks; stirs censorship fears
Government announces new national anti-bullying plan
Clare announced a suite of reforms as part of Australia’s new anti-bullying plan, requiring schools to take action on bullying incidents within 48 hours and providing specialized training for teachers.
State and territory ministers endorsed the plan following a meeting on the Gold Coast on Friday. The federal government will allocate $5 million to develop educational resources for teachers, parents, and students, alongside another $5 million for a national public awareness campaign.
The anti-bullying review found that punitive actions such as suspensions or expulsions can be justified in certain cases, but emphasized that long-term success often depends on repairing relationships and addressing the causes of harmful behavior.
According to national data, one in four students between years four and nine reports being bullied at least every few weeks. Victims of bullying are also significantly more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and broader well-being issues.
Cyberbullying remains a serious concern, with reports to Australia’s eSafety Commissioner increasing by more than 450% between 2019 and 2024.
Read more: Suicide-inspiring misusage of AI may grow into a pattern: UN
Preventing online abuse is also a central goal of the government’s broader child safety initiatives, including the upcoming social media ban for users under 16. The restriction, set to take effect on December 10, aims to reduce exposure to harmful content and predatory behavior.
Clare said the government’s approach combines education, regulation, and accountability to ensure schools and parents are better equipped to protect children in an age of artificial intelligence.
