Emma’s parents reportedly filed suit against Google in California on November 2, 2026. The complaint, as described in reporting by The New York Times, republished by The Star, alleges that AI-powered Google Search on a school Chromebook was involved in a 13-year-old student’s psychological crisis and suicidal planning. The student, identified as Emma, is reported to be from Charlotte, North Carolina.
The lawsuit concerns AI in Google Search
The reported feature was AI Mode within Google Search, not just the standalone Gemini app. The New Zealand Herald, citing AFP, reported that Emma’s school blocked Gemini and ChatGPT while Google Search remained accessible.
In the reported school setup, blocking standalone AI apps did not also block Google Search.
School monitoring and Google alerts are separate allegations
The New York Times report says the complaint alleges that Emma exchanged thousands of AI Mode messages, including late at night, and that Google did not alert the school or her parents to risk signals. The same report says the school’s system scanned student writing and searches. Separately, the New Zealand Herald reported that school monitoring software flagged a document titled Funeral on March 17, prompting the school to notify her parents.
Google says Search AI has crisis safeguards
Google spokesperson José Castañeda said the company was reviewing the lawsuit and that Search AI includes crisis safeguards connecting people with real-world support. Andrew Liddell, the family’s attorney, disputed whether those protections were sufficient.
