OpenAI rolled out ChatGPT for Teens on August 18, a dedicated experience for users ages 13 to 17 that activates automatically when the company's systems estimate a user is under 18. The version tightens content restrictions around self-harm, violence, eating disorders and romantic or sexual roleplay, and adds regular break reminders that tell young users they are talking to AI.
Parents can now link accounts to their teen's profile to set Quiet Hours, receive safety notifications after high-risk interactions are reviewed by trained staff, and manage other settings — but both the teen and parent must opt in. The release also introduces a Study Mode built around guiding questions and step-by-step support rather than direct answers, plus homework alerts when a teen appears to be using the chatbot to cheat.
The launch follows lawsuits alleging AI chatbots contributed to teen suicides and mental-health harm, and comes years after ChatGPT — which had reached roughly 900 million weekly active users — first opened to teen users without dedicated safeguards.