Age Protection Announced for ChatGPT

Age Protection Announced for ChatGPT

One of the first things I tell parents is this: every new device, platform, or app comes with a learning curve. We get excited about the shiny new features, but buried inside are the safety settings that actually matter most for kids. Think of them like seatbelts—you wouldn’t hand the keys over without buckling in first.

OpenAI announced they’re building new ways to keep teens safer when using ChatGPT. Here’s what that looks like in plain English:

What’s New

• Age Prediction in AI: The goal is to figure out if a user is over or under 18 so the system can adjust responses. A 15-year-old won’t get the same answers as an adult. If AI isn’t sure of someone’s age, it will play it safe and assume under 18.
• Parental Controls: Rolling out soon, parents will be able to:
  • Link their account to their teen’s.
  • Set blackout hours when ChatGPT can’t be used.
  • Turn off features like memory and history.
  • Get alerts if their teen is flagged as being in serious distress (with experts guiding how this works to balance trust).
• Safer Defaults: Teens under 18 will have sexual content blocked, and in rare emergencies, safety steps could involve reaching parents—or in extreme cases, law enforcement.

Why This Matters

Kids are already using AI as their “emotional support electronic.” They’re asking tough questions, venting stress, and sometimes even revealing struggles they’re not sharing with us. These updates won’t replace parental guidance, but they’re an important step toward making sure the digital world has better guardrails for youth.

What You Can Do

• Check the Settings: Whether it’s ChatGPT, TikTok, or a video game console, explore the parental controls and actually turn them on.
• Talk About It: Let your teen know why these settings exist. It’s not about spying—it’s about safety.
• Stay Curious: Tech will keep changing, but the more we learn and adapt, the better we can guide kids through it.
• Try My Digital Navigator: I recently built a tool that can walk you through setting up parental safety features across different apps and devices. Think of it as a step-by-step guide that’s always ready to help. You can try it here: Introducing Your Digital Navigator →

AI is moving fast, but so are the tools to keep it safer for young people. The real win? Pairing those tools with caring adults who are paying attention. Here is a longer article about age protection on ChatGPT.

– Ryan