Introducing Trusted Contact in ChatGPT

Introducing Trusted Contact in ChatGPT Connecting you to someone you trust when it matters most. People use ChatGPT to learn, explore ideas, solve problems, and reflect on personal questions. Sometimes those conversations can involve moments when someone may be struggling or looking for support. Our goal is to design systems that respond thoughtfully to sensitive conversations and encourage people to connect with real-world help when needed. Today we are starting to roll out Trusted Contact, an optional safety feature in ChatGPT that allows adults to nominate someone they trust, such as a friend, family member, or caregiver, who may be notified if our automated systems and trained reviewers detect the enrolled person may have discussed harming themselves in a way that indicates a serious safety concern. Trusted Contact is designed to offer another layer of support alongside the localized helplines already available in ChatGPT, by helping users connect to a person they trust when they are in crisis. Trusted Contact builds on parental controls safety notifications(opens in a new window), which allow parents or guardians to receive alerts when there are signs of acute distress for a linked teen account. Now, we are extending our safety alert options so anyone over 18 can choose to add someone they trust as their Trusted Contact. Expert guidance(opens in a new window) identifies social connection as one of the most important protective factors to reduce suicide risk. Trusted Contact(opens in a new window) is designed to encourage connection with someone the user already trusts. It does not replace professional care or crisis services, and is one of several layers of safeguards to support people in distress. ChatGPT will still encourage users to contact crisis hotlines or emergency services when appropriate. “Psychological science consistently shows that social connection is a powerful protective factor, especially during periods of emotional distress. Helping people identify a trusted person in advance, while preserving their choice and autonomy, can make it easier to reach out to real-world support when it matters most.” - Users can add one adult (18+ Globally or 19+ in South Korea) as their Trusted Contact from their ChatGPT settings. - The Trusted Contact will receive an invitation explaining their role and must accept the invitation within one week in order for the feature to become active. If the Trusted Contact declines, the user can choose to add a different adult. - If our automated monitoring systems detect the user may be talking about self-harm in a way that indicates a serious safety concern, ChatGPT lets the user know that we may notify their Trusted Contact, and encourages the user to reach out to their Trusted Contact with suggested conversation starters. - From there, a small team of specially trained people review the situation. If these reviewers determine that the conversation may indicate a serious safety concern, ChatGPT will send the Trusted Contact a brief notification by email, text message, or in-app notification if they have a ChatGPT account - The notification is intentionally limited. It…