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OpenAI has rolled out parental controls for ChatGPT, allowing parents to link accounts with teens under 18 and set age-appropriate restrictions. The update comes as concerns over teen safety and responsible AI use grow, following reports of self-harm cases linked to AI interactions.
About two weeks ago, OpenAI announced several teen-focused safety features, signaling its intent to improve safeguards for younger users. These parental controls are now live for all ChatGPT users, ensuring teens have limited access to sensitive features.
Parents can now disable sensitive content, image generation, ChatGPT memory, model training, and even set quiet hours when the AI cannot be used. Teens cannot override these restrictions, and any attempt to disconnect linked accounts instantly notifies parents.
In a statement, OpenAI said: “If our systems detect potential harm, a small team of specially trained people reviews the situation. If there are signs of acute distress, we will contact parents by email, text, and push alert on their phone.”
The company added that in cases of imminent threat where parents cannot be reached, it may coordinate with law enforcement or emergency services. While OpenAI has assured that teen privacy is protected, it noted that essential information may be shared in rare, high-risk situations.
Meanwhile, some GPT-4o users have expressed frustration over the platform’s auto-routing system for sensitive conversations, saying it limits control. Despite this pushback, the new controls mark a significant step toward making AI tools safer for younger audiences.
Parents can also access a new resource page created by OpenAI to better understand parental controls and receive expert guidance on managing AI use at home.
