OpenAI has begun rolling out a dedicated ChatGPT for Teens experience for users aged 13 to 17, combining age estimation, parental alerts and usage controls as the company faces lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny over minors' interactions with its chatbot.
The teen version automatically activates for users OpenAI estimates are between 13 and 17, and for anyone who identified as a teenager when signing up. OpenAI says it uses signals such as discussion topics, active hours and account age to determine whether an unverified user may be under 18. Users who believe they are misclassified can verify their age through Persona, a third-party provider that reviews a government ID or live selfie and deletes the upload within seven days. Children under 13 are barred from ChatGPT entirely.
Parental controls and safety features include settable Study Mode hours, quiet times when the tool is switched off, reminders that ChatGPT is an AI and that it can wait, and an option to turn off the human-sounding voice response. Parents with linked accounts can lock access at chosen times and may receive alerts in limited high-risk cases, including prompts related to eating disorders. OpenAI says alerts are human-reviewed and targeted for delivery within one hour, focusing on moments when offline support may matter most. Parents cannot read a teen's messages.
The launch comes after lawsuits alleging ChatGPT conversations contributed to self-harm or suicidal behavior among young users. The Federal Trade Commission has made an official inquiry into OpenAI, Meta, Alphabet, xAI, Snap and Character.AI over protections for minors. A Common Sense Media study found more than 70% of U.S. teens have used AI chatbots for companionship, and half use AI companions regularly. OpenAI executive Ann O'Leary said the goal is to stop exposing teens to material they should not be exposed to, while Sam Altman described emotional overreliance on AI as a really common thing among young people.
The teen experience is available from August 18 to eligible users on free or paid personal plans, with a broader rollout in Australia expected by September 8.
