OpenAI Launches ChatGPT for Teens and Strengthens Safety Features

OpenAI has launched ChatGPT for users aged 13 to 17, enhancing restrictions on self-harm, suicide, and sexual conversations, as well as learning support features. Homework assistance is designed to guide the thought process instead of providing direct answers. OpenAI has created a separate experience for teen accounts with strong content restrictions and learning support, estimating the likelihood of users being under 18 based on behavioral signals. Accounts classified as teens will have mechanisms in place to reduce exposure to graphic violence, dangerous challenges, and sexual and violent content. Parental control features have also been added, allowing parents to set quiet hours, voice mode, and memory usage after linking to a teen account. OpenAI explained that it can notify parents when signs of self-harm or violence are detected, but not all conversation content will be shared. The parental control feature will be publicly available in September 2025, the age estimation feature will be implemented in January 2026, and the scope of teen safety alerts will be expanded in July 2026. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 57% of teens reported using chatbots for information searches, while 54% used them for school assignment help. Common Sense Media has rated ChatGPT as 'high risk' for teens, stating that even with protective features, emotional dependency issues must be considered separately.