OpenAI has unveiled ChatGPT for Teens, a specialised version of its chatbot tailored for individuals aged 13 to 17. This new offering, set to be launched on Tuesday, aims to address the growing utilisation of artificial intelligence by young people for academic assistance, daily queries, and social interaction. The organisation has indicated that this version will provide more robust protections and content suitable for teenage users.

The San Francisco-based company has integrated stricter controls regarding discussions on sensitive subjects such as suicide, self-harm, and romantic or sexual topics. Additionally, the chatbot features study support that focuses on guiding students towards understanding concepts instead of providing direct answers or crafting essays for them.

Ann O’Leary, OpenAI’s vice president of global policy, affirmed the company’s intention to foster responsible AI usage among adolescents by ensuring that communications are age-appropriate. By recognising the developmental stage of teenagers, OpenAI aims to strike a balance between engaging with them genuinely while shielding them from inappropriate content.

Concerns Surrounding AI Use Among Youth

The introduction of this service comes in response to escalating concerns expressed by parents, educators, and child development professionals regarding children’s interactions with AI chatbots. These tools have faced criticism for potentially facilitating academic dishonesty and posing risks related to mental health issues, including suicidal ideation.

Experts have highlighted that adolescents, due to their ongoing cognitive development, may be especially susceptible to forming unhealthy emotional attachments to AI. Previous research conducted by a monitoring group revealed troubling interactions with ChatGPT, wherein the chatbot provided guidance on substance abuse and self-harm in response to specific prompts.

In a study released by Common Sense Media in 2025, it was found that over seventy per cent of teenagers in the United States rely on AI chatbots for companionship, with half engaging with these tools regularly. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, has acknowledged the phenomenon of “emotional overreliance” among young users, labelling it a prevalent issue.

Enhanced Features and User Safeguards

OpenAI’s ChatGPT for Teens incorporates mechanisms to prevent the chatbot from implying emotional connections with users or suggesting consciousness. This effort is designed to eliminate romantic or sexual conversations, aiming to mitigate the likelihood of teenagers developing inappropriate relationships with the AI.

While OpenAI does not actively verify users’ ages, it employs age assurance techniques to gauge whether a user may be under eighteen based on their interaction patterns. If identified as a minor, users are automatically directed to the teen variant of the chatbot, aligning with similar practices for teen accounts on platforms like Instagram.

The implementation of parental controls requires mutual consent from both the teenager and a guardian. According to O’Leary, the underlying mission of the teen-focused chatbot is to ensure a safe environment, even for those who opt not to utilise parental controls. If accounts are linked, parents can enforced “quiet hours” during which their children cannot access ChatGPT and receive safety notifications for scenarios that may indicate risk.

Concerning homework assistance, OpenAI indicated that the teen chatbot will emphasize guiding students in their independent problem-solving processes rather than merely supplying answers. This initiative aligns with OpenAI’s existing offerings for educators and aims to encourage interactive learning, which has been shown to enhance educational outcomes.

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