Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News / Getty Images
OpenAI has announced new measures to enhance safety for teenagers using its AI chatbot, ChatGPT. The company revealed on Tuesday (September 16) that it will introduce a dedicated ChatGPT experience for users under 18, featuring parental controls. This move aims to better protect minors by blocking graphic and sexual content and potentially involving law enforcement in rare cases of acute distress, according to OpenAI.
To further ensure safety, OpenAI is developing technology to predict users' ages. If there is uncertainty about a user's age, the system will default to the under-18 experience. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman emphasized that the company prioritizes safety over privacy and freedom for teens, stating, "This is a new and powerful technology, and we believe minors need significant protection," as reported by CNBC.
The new parental controls, set to be available by the end of the month, will allow parents to link their ChatGPT account with their teen's, set blackout hours, manage features, and receive notifications if their teen is in distress. These updates come amid an inquiry by the Federal Trade Commission into how AI chatbots impact children and teenagers.