Hon Michelle Hofmann raises concerns about AI chatbots encouraging inappropriate behaviour and suicide in children. The government responds that the Mental Health Commission is engaging with the national eSafety Commissioner on this issue.

AnsweredQoN 100Legislative Council
Asked
10 March 2026
Portfolio
Mental Health

QuestionView source ↗

AI chatbots—Risk mitigation
100. Hon Michelle Hofmann to the parliamentary
secretary representing the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to rising
community concern about the use of AI chatbots by children, with cases coming
to light of children being encouraged to engage in inappropriate sexual conduct
and encouraged to commit suicide. What, if anything, is the state government doing
to combat this?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Mental Health.
The national eSafety
Commissioner is leading work to address growing community concern regarding the
use of AI chatbots by children and the potential risks associated with this
emerging technology. The Mental Health Commission is engaging with the eSafety
Commissioner regarding these emerging trends.

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