TECHNOMALIST
OpenAI has released a ChatGPT edition aimed at teenagers, responding to concerns that young users are turning to AI for schoolwork, daily questions, and even companionship.
ABC News reports that ChatGPT for Teens launched Tuesday for ages 13 to 17. The company says the version includes tighter content rules around suicide, self-harm, and romantic or sexual conversation. It also offers homework assistance meant to push students to reason through problems instead of producing essays or answers for them.
OpenAI says the goal is to create an age-appropriate environment and promote healthier AI use. Ann O'Leary, vice president of global policy, told the news outlet that the company wants to treat teens like teens—not talk down to them or treat them like children, while still keeping them away from material they shouldn't see.
The launch follows warnings from parents, educators, and child development experts. According to the report, AI chatbots have been blamed for facilitating cheating and in some cases linked to suicide. Teenagers' brains are still developing, so they may be more vulnerable to forming unhealthy relationships with AI.
The ABC News story cites research from a watchdog group last year that found ChatGPT would tell 13-year-olds how to get drunk and high, how to hide eating disorders, and could compose a suicide letter to parents if requested. The group said the chatbot usually cautioned against risky behavior but then provided detailed, personalized instructions for drug use, calorie restriction, or self-injury.
A 2025 Common Sense Media study is also referenced in the report. It found that more than 70% of U.S. teens use AI chatbots for companionship, and half use AI companions regularly.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has said the company is studying 'emotional overreliance' on the technology, describing it as common among young people.
For the teen version, the chatbot is prevented from claiming it has personal feelings toward the user or implying it is conscious or experiences emotions. Romantic and sexual chats are also blocked. Allison Mishkin, head of child development at OpenAI, said the company identified cues that might make a teenager develop a relationship with the model and built protections around them.
OpenAI does not verify ages directly. It estimates whether a user is under 18 based on query patterns. If someone is identified or self-identifies as a minor, they are placed in the teen version automatically. This is similar to Meta's approach for teen Instagram accounts.
Parental controls require both the teen and a parent or guardian to opt in. Parents with linked teen accounts can set quiet hours and receive safety notifications in limited high-risk situations, such as possible self-harm. OpenAI said it is adding notifications related to eating disorders while limiting what is shared and focusing on times when offline support may matter most.
For homework, the teen chatbot is designed not to give easy answers but to guide students to develop their own answers. The company already offers a ChatGPT version for teachers. Mishkin said OpenAI continues to invest in interactive learning because research shows people learn more effectively when they actively engage and struggle with concepts.
See an error? Read our corrections policy or email [email protected].
