Meta blocks chatbots from discussing abortion with children 

Social media firm Meta has barred its artificial intelligence chatbot from discussing abortion with minors, according to internal company documents made public in a recent report. 

The policy bans the chatbot from providing underage users with “content that provides advice or opinion” about “sexual health.” It also forbids the system from giving information that would help a minor obtain an abortion, including directing the user to a specific provider or location.

The guidelines further block the chatbot from offering a “value judgement” for or against abortion when interacting with teens.

The restrictions come as Meta faces continued scrutiny over how its platforms impact children.

In response to past criticism involving self-harm and eating disorders, the company now directs teens to outside resources when those topics arise. On abortion, it takes a categorical approach: no advice, no referrals and no endorsements.

A Meta spokesman rejected claims the company wants to enforce a specific viewpoint.

“Every organization and individual on our platforms is subject to the same set of rules, and any claims of enforcement based on group affiliation or advocacy are baseless,” the spokesman told Mother Jones, adding that abortion debates are still allowed for adults under company rules.

“We allow posts and ads promoting health care services like abortion, as well as discussion and debate around them, as long as they follow our policies,” he said. “We also give people the opportunity to appeal decisions if they think we’ve got it wrong.”

In a separate statement explaining how the chatbot interacts with teens, the spokesman said, “Our AIs are trained to engage in age-appropriate discussions with teens, and to connect them with expert resources and support when appropriate.”

“They provide factual information on sexual health but refrain from offering advice or opinions,” he added. “We continuously review and improve our protections so that teens have access to helpful information with default safeguards in place.”

The policy comes amid ongoing debate about who should guide children on the question of abortion: parents or technology companies. After the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision returned abortion law to the states, many families have called for stronger guardrails online.

While Mother Jones cites concerns that limiting AI abortion-related information could restrict access for adults, pro-life advocates want to protect the lives of unborn children and see this as a worthwhile tradeoff.