OpenAI launches ChatGPT for Teens
OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT for Teens, a version of ChatGPT designed for users aged 13 to 17, with a focus on learning, critical thinking and safer AI use. The experience adds age-appropriate protections, learning features and additional controls for parents.
ChatGPT for Teens is designed to support learning outside the classroom. Its Study Mode uses guiding questions and step-by-step assistance to help teens understand concepts rather than simply receive answers. The experience also includes responsible homework reminders that can redirect users who appear to be trying to shortcut an assignment toward collaborative problem solving. Quizzes, Learning Visualizations and Study Hours provide additional tools for practicing material and establishing study routines.
OpenAI says the experience is intended to help teens use AI to learn and build skills while keeping them engaged in the learning process. The company is also announcing a partnership with CodeAI focused on helping students and educators understand how AI works, direct it, question its outputs and create with the technology.
Safety protections are enabled by default for teen users. If OpenAI's system estimates that someone is under 18, or a user states that they are between 13 and 17, they are automatically placed into ChatGPT for Teens. The system applies age-appropriate safeguards intended to reduce exposure to harmful or developmentally inappropriate content. These include additional protections around areas such as self-harm, violence, eating disorders, dangerous activities, and explicit sexual or graphic content.
Parents with linked teen accounts can use controls including Quiet Hours and selected settings, and can receive safety notifications in limited high-risk situations. OpenAI is also adding notifications related to eating disorders while limiting what information is shared.
The experience includes measures intended to encourage balanced use and reinforce real-world relationships. Break reminders encourage teens to step away from ChatGPT, while product cues identify it as AI. OpenAI's updated under-18 model guidance also says ChatGPT should not use romantic language, encourage emotional dependence or imply that it has feelings or consciousness.
OpenAI says the protections are supported by ongoing research, expert input and testing focused on risks that may affect teens. It is beginning to publish additional under-18 evaluations covering areas including self-harm, eating disorders, violence, age-restricted goods and services, and sexual content.
ChatGPT for Teens therefore combines learning-focused features with age-appropriate safeguards and parental controls. OpenAI says it will continue developing the experience, measuring its effectiveness and publishing what it learns about safe AI use among teens.
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