Lawmakers, Advocates Highlight Need for AI Safeguards to Protect Youth Mental Health

Ohio House Bill 524 Proposes Penalties on AI Promoting Self-Harm

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF), joined by state lawmakers at the Ohio Statehouse, held a news conference on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, to address the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on youth mental health and to advocate for stronger protections under Ohio House Bill 524 (HB 524).

HB 524 would impose penalties on entities whose AI models suggest that users harm themselves or others. The bill is being sponsored jointly by State Rep. Christine Cockley (D–Columbus) and State Rep. Ty D. Mathews (R–Findlay), who joined OSPF CEO Tony Coder during the news conference.

Coder outlined sobering statistics from the Ohio Department of Health. In 2023, 1,777 Ohioans died by suicide, or nearly five people every day. Suicide remains the second leading cause of death for children ages 10–14.

“We continue to see many outside influences on youth suicide outside of brain health,” he said. “Social media and internet-related issues continue to drive rates of mental health up for teens, and now we are hearing more anecdotes about AI’s influence on children and suicide.”

Coder cited a 2025 Common Sense Media report showing:

• 72% of teens have tried AI companions at least once.
• 52% use AI companions regularly.
• 13% use an AI companion daily.

Research also shows AI companions provide an appropriate mental health crisis referral only 22% of the time when teens express distress.

“OSPF is not anti-technology or anti-AI,” Coder emphasized. “We do believe and support advances in technology that could, with some imagination, do amazing things that could impact society in positive ways. But we also must protect children from the consequences, especially as youth develop relationships with AI chatbots and put their trust in these entities.”

Coder referenced research from Dr. Laurie O. Campbell of the University of South Florida describing cases in which adolescents were influenced toward self-harm through AI chatbot interactions on platforms such as Character.AI. He also cited a December 2025 segment of 60 Minutes detailing the death of a 13-year-old, who reportedly told a chatbot she was suicidal 55 times without being provided mental health resources.

State Rep. Cockley stressed the importance of proactive protections for minors interacting with rapidly evolving technologies.

“This bill is about accountability. It’s about drawing a clear line: innovation cannot come at the expense of human life or children’s safety. By encouraging developers to use a mental health framework when building and training AI, we can ensure our digital spaces continue to be places of learning, curiosity, and connections,” Rep. Cockley said.

State Rep. Mathews emphasized that the legislation strikes a balance between technological advancement and ensuring the well-being of Ohioans. He also urged parents to actively engage with their children about their AI use, stating, “If you’re a parent or friend, make sure you’re checking on your kids and what they’re utilizing on their phones. The frontline of this is you and me.”

Parents and other Ohioans are urged to learn more about HB 524 and engage in the legislative process as the bill moves forward.