Parental control features in ChatGPT for Teens | Explained

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India does not have standalone legislation regulating AI chatbots [File] | Photo Credit: AP

The story so far: OpenAI on August 18, 2026 unveiled a version of its AI chatbot ChatGPT designed for the use of teenagers. The firm says ChatGPT for Teens will have stronger built-in protections, even as the company is under fire over claims that the chatbot has driven youngsters to die by suicide, apart from causing other mental health issues.

ChatGPT for Teens, designed for 13 to 17-year-olds, has features such as parental controls, “quiet hours”, study mode, and notifications for situations that need real-world interventions. Most of these safeguards already were present in accounts for minors. Apart from those who identify themselves as minors, OpenAI has said that it will also automatically place users whom its system determines to be below the age of 17 into ChatGPT for Teens.

The company says it is guided by a commitment to treat teens as teens, and encourages real-world support.

Apart from content restrictions around difficult topics such as self-harm, violence, eating disorders, dangerous activities, and explicit sexual or graphic content, it also places emphasis on helping children study, rather than giving out the answers.

As the first generation of kids grows up with AI, an increasing number of them use the tool for learning. ChatGPT for Teens promises to support children working through the lessons. For example, a teen attempting to solve a mathematical equation will not be directly given the answer. The chatbot instead will go over the equation step-by-step, ask questions, and give hints for the solutions.

The option for a “study mode”, built with input from teachers, scientists and other experts, will use this detailed approach to arrive at answers. Parents and teens can even set specific times for it to be enabled by default.

The company says that ChatGPT for Teens will “reduce exposure to harmful content while preserving the ability to learn, create, and explore”. Accounts of parents and teens can be linked, after which they can receive notifications in certain high-risk situations, helping them know if something may be seriously wrong.

These alerts will be monitored by human moderators. Options such as “quiet hours” that regulate when ChatGPT can’t be used, turning off memory so it doesn’t save and use chats when responding, and removing options for image generation, have also been provided.

For teens, the chatbot will offer periodic reminders to take breaks from using ChatGPT and caution against uploading sensitive images. It also has the option to switch off the voice mode to minimise the ability of the chatbot to appear like a person.

“ChatGPT should not use romantic language, encourage emotional dependence, or imply that it has feelings or consciousness,” the firm said.

However, the effectiveness of these safeguards remains to be seen.