OpenAI has announced the launch of a special version of ChatGPT for users under 18 with built-in parental controls. In the company’s blog, CEO Sam Altman explained that this innovation should strengthen the protection of teenagers when interacting with the chatbot.
If OpenAI determines that a user is a minor, they will automatically be switched to an age-appropriate version of ChatGPT. In this mode, explicit and sexual content is blocked, and in exceptional cases the company can contact parents or even involve law enforcement if there is a risk that a teenager could harm himself.
OpenAI is also working on improving the technology to determine the age of users. If the data is incomplete or questionable, ChatGPT will default to the teen version. In some countries, the system may ask for a passport or ID card.
The decision to launch new security tools was not accidental. Last month, the company announced plans to introduce parental controls after a teenager’s family filed a lawsuit accusing the chatbot of being involved in his suicide. Details about these tools have been released by OpenAI only now.
Parental controls allow you to link a teen’s account with a parent’s account via email, set hours when the child cannot use the chatbot, disable certain functions, receive notifications in case of acute distress of the teen, and set parameters for exactly how ChatGPT should respond to requests. ChatGPT is currently aimed at users 13 years and older. Altman emphasized that innovations are “complex decisions”.
“After consulting with experts, we consider them the best and want to be transparent in our intentions”, he added.
