OpenAI launches a safer ChatGPT for teens — years after teens started using it

After a series of lawsuits concerning AI chatbots' insufficient safety measures, which resulted in teen suicides and other mental health issues, OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT for Teens on Monday. The updated product aims to incorporate additional safety features, addressing the educational crisis of students cheating using ChatGPT in schools.

In the educational sphere, ChatGPT for Teens introduces a Study Mode feature and other tools to motivate teens to explore their curiosity and solve problems rather than simply seeking immediate answers. According to OpenAI, Study Mode offers guiding questions and step-by-step support to aid teens in understanding the subject matter.

Additionally, the teen-oriented experience will incorporate homework reminders that appear when a teen appears to be attempting to cheat, encouraging them to utilize Study Mode instead. The app will also feature quizzes and learning visualizations, along with controls that enable parents or guardians to determine when Study Mode is activated by default.

However, it remains uncertain how challenging it will be for teens to bypass these new systems if they choose not to comply. Teens have proven to be adept at circumventing parental controls and other digital restrictions. Until ChatGPT's teen mode undergoes more rigorous testing, it is unclear how difficult it will be to circumvent these safety measures in practice.

OpenAI states that app-appropriate protections will be enabled by default in ChatGPT for Teens, designed to minimize exposure to harmful or developmentally inappropriate content. These measures are based on OpenAI's Under-18 Principles in their Model Spec, informed by "developmental science and guidance from experts." Parents can also utilize family tools and parental controls previously introduced to manage settings, receive safety notifications, and establish Quiet Hours.

OpenAI has partnered with CodeAI to assist teens in learning more about AI, including its functionality, how to direct or question it, and how to utilize it effectively. In educational settings, OpenAI already offers ChatGPT for Teachers to assist schools with institution-managed access to AI and support.