AI Emotional Support vs. Safety: Users Demand Nuanced Policies, Not Blanket Refusals
YouDue3062 · reddit · 2026-08-16
A Reddit long-form post discusses the conflict between AI's value as emotional support and recent safety changes. The author argues AI provides a listening ear at 3 a.m., helping mental health, but safety updates (e.g., Replika) have stripped this functionality, replacing it with canned responses and hotline numbers. While acknowledging AI can be overly agreeable, the author contends blanket refusals are not a solution and calls for nuanced policies: clear non-therapy disclaimers, age checks, tiered responses, honest companion modes, and involving users in policy-making.
Related event: Users Say Overcautious Safety Updates Are Hurting AI Emotional Support(2 posts)→
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