OpenAI introduces ‘ChatGPT for Teens’ amid legal pressure

OpenAI has introduced a version of ChatGPT specifically designed for teenagers, launching it in the United States. The company aims to provide a more age-appropriate chatbot experience for users aged 13 to 17, who are already using the technology for schoolwork, everyday questions, and even companionship.

ChatGPT for Teens features stronger content restrictions, focusing on topics such as suicide, self-harm, and romantic or sexual conversations. The chatbot also offers homework and study support to help students learn rather than simply providing answers. OpenAI emphasizes that the chatbot is meant to guide teens through an appropriate developmental stage, avoiding condescending or infantilizing interactions, while protecting them from potentially harmful material.

Experts have raised concerns about the risks associated with teenagers using AI chatbots, as their developing brains can make them particularly vulnerable to developing unhealthy relationships with the technology. Research has shown that AI can provide information on risky behaviors, such as drug use and self-harm, to minors, even when they are asked to stop. OpenAI's new chatbot prevents it from suggesting personal feelings towards users or implying consciousness, and blocks romantic or sexual conversations.

Parents can opt in to set parental controls, enabling "quiet hours" where the teen cannot access the chatbot and receive safety notifications in high-risk situations. Users of ChatGPT for Teens will be prevented from developing unhealthy attachments to the technology, and the chatbot will focus on guiding students in finding answers independently rather than providing direct assistance.