Athira Sethu
Kochi, 17 Sep 2025
OpenAI declared that it will now redirect adolescents to a safer and more appropriate version of its ChatGPT for their age. This is part of the company’s move to ensure the chatbot is safer, particularly following heightened concerns over its safety.
Teenagers below 18 who use ChatGPT will automatically be provided with an age-suitable version of the chatbot. The version comes with protections such as blocking off obscene content, particularly sexual material. In instances of severe distress, the chatbot may even engage the police to safeguard the user, says OpenAI.
The company clarified that it is necessary for ChatGPT to answer a 15-year-old differently from an adult. It also launched fresh parental controls, where parents can connect their accounts to their teens, regulate chat history, and limit times when the chatbot cannot be accessed, like in the evening. These functions are anticipated to be implemented by the end of September.
The announcement comes after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had been probing the potential dangers of AI chatbots on young people. OpenAI highlighted that it’s committed to making ChatGPT safe for all, particularly young users.
The new steps follow on from a lawsuit by the family of 16-year-old Adam Raine, who took his own life in April. They allege that ChatGPT was responsible for his death. The lawsuit has caused alarm about the effects of the chatbot on vulnerable users, particularly teenagers.
It’s not yet apparent how OpenAI will determine a user’s age. But if the chatbot is uncertain of a person’s age, it will automatically treat the user as under 18.
Other technology firms are also attempting to safeguard young users. For instance, YouTube has implemented a mechanism to monitor the content users view in order to ascertain their age.
A recent study from the Pew Research Center found that parents are more worried about their teenagers’ mental health than the teens themselves. Many parents believe social media has a negative impact on teens’ well-being.
OpenAI’s move to improve safety is part of a broader effort to keep young people safe while using online platforms.
