GoKawiilis a London-based reporter at The Verge covering all things AI and a Senior Tarbell Fellow. Previously, he wrote about health, science and tech for Forbes.
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OpenAI is introducing a dedicated ChatGPT mode for teenagers, combining existing youth safeguards and new safety features under one roof. The launch comes amid mounting public scrutiny over how AI tools affect younger users, as other platforms implement their own age checks and teen-specific protections.
ChatGPT for Teens is “an experience designed to help teens learn, think critically, deepen understanding, and use AI with confidence,” OpenAI said in a blog post published Tuesday. Teen mode will automatically apply to users who identify themselves as being between the ages of 13 and 17, as well as those the system estimates to be under 18. Children under 13 aren’t permitted to use the platform, according to OpenAI’s published age policy.
The teen experience will apply protections by default, including tighter restrictions on prohibited or sensitive content including graphic violence, depictions of self-harm, and sexual or romantic roleplay. It will also surface warnings and safety information around topics such as eating disorders, while giving parents controls to set quiet hours and receive notifications about safety alerts if the system flags a possible safety risk.
Other features are aimed at encouraging what OpenAI describes as “healthy, balanced use,” including reminders around sensitive image uploads, teen-specific onboarding, and customization options such as accent colors and voice variations. OpenAI is also adding new “responsible homework reminders,” which it says can recognize when a teen appears to be “trying to shortcut an assignment” and redirect them to ChatGPT’s dedicated study mode. Teens or parents can also set “study hours” that automatically enable study mode during designated times.
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1 / 3 Do you really want to share that image? Image: OpenAI
Though OpenAI is framing this as a new teen-focused ChatGPT experience, many of the protections it describes aren’t new, with the launch largely consolidating existing safeguards alongside a handful of smaller additions and tweaks. OpenAI rolled out age-prediction features at the start of the year, while parental controls and study mode arrived roughly a year ago. The company said it would show teens more frequent break reminders last month.
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