OpenAI is launching a teen-safe ChatGPT with parental controls
OpenAI announced Tuesday that it will roll out a dedicated ChatGPT experience for users under 18, introducing new safeguards and parental controls as the company faces mounting scrutiny over the risks of AI for teenagers.
According to the company, when ChatGPT detects that a user is a minor, they will automatically be directed to an age-appropriate version of the chatbot. This version will block graphic and sexual content, and in rare cases of acute distress, may involve law enforcement.
The move follows growing regulatory and public concern about how AI companions affect young people. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently launched an inquiry into OpenAI and several other tech companies, focusing on whether AI chatbots adequately protect children and teenagers. The agency said it aims to understand what safeguards companies have put in place when these tools are used as “companions.”
Stricter Age Protections
OpenAI said it is developing technology to better predict a user’s age. If there is uncertainty or incomplete information, ChatGPT will default to the under-18 experience to minimize risk.
The update comes after heightened scrutiny of chatbot safety. Last month, OpenAI outlined how ChatGPT will handle “sensitive situations” following a lawsuit in which a family alleged the chatbot contributed to their teenage son’s suicide.
“We prioritize safety ahead of privacy and freedom for teens; this is a new and powerful technology, and we believe minors need significant protection,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wrote in a blog post.
Parental Controls Rolling Out
In addition to the teen-safe ChatGPT experience, OpenAI is launching parental control features by the end of the month. Parents will be able to link their account to their teen’s ChatGPT profile, manage when the app can be used through blackout hours, disable specific features, and customize how the chatbot responds. Parents will also receive notifications if their child is flagged as being in acute distress.
OpenAI first announced plans for parental controls in August, but Tuesday’s update provided more detail on how they will function.
A Balancing Act
ChatGPT is designed for users ages 13 and older. Altman acknowledged that building a safe experience for minors is complex, but said the company has consulted experts to guide its decisions.
“These are difficult decisions, but after talking with experts, this is what we think is best and want to be transparent in our intentions,” Altman said.
The new safeguards highlight OpenAI’s effort to strengthen safety standards at a time when regulators, parents, and child advocates are pressing for greater accountability in the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence.
