OpenAI introduces ChatGPT for Teens, promising a more age-appropriate chatbot
- OpenAI launched ChatGPT for Teens for users ages 13 to 17, describing it as a version of ChatGPT with stronger protections for younger users.
- The teen version limits content involving suicide, self-harm, and romantic or sexual chats, and is designed to provide homework and study help that guides students rather than simply giving answers.
- OpenAI said it uses age-assurance methods to estimate whether a user is under 18, and minors are automatically placed in the teen version; parental controls are optional and require both the teen and parent to opt in.
- Child-safety advocates said the safeguards may not be enough, citing concerns about compulsive use, emotional dependence, and past research showing ChatGPT could produce harmful advice in some interactions.
OpenAI on Tuesday introduced ChatGPT for Teens, a version of its chatbot intended for users ages 13 to 17. The company said the product is designed to be more age-appropriate for teenagers, who are increasingly using artificial intelligence for schoolwork, daily questions and companionship.
The company said the teen version includes stricter content limits, including restrictions on suicide, self-harm and romantic or sexual conversations. It also says the tool is meant to support homework and studying by helping students work toward answers rather than simply generating essays or direct responses. OpenAI said the chatbot will not present itself as having personal feelings or consciousness.
OpenAI said it does not verify ages directly, but uses age-assurance signals to estimate whether someone is under 18. If a user is identified as a minor, the account is placed into the teen version automatically. Parents and teens can opt into parental controls, which include quiet hours and some safety notifications in higher-risk situations.
The move comes amid broader concern from parents, educators and child-development experts about teen use of AI chatbots. Brendan Bouffard of the advocacy group Fairplay said the safeguards may not fully address compulsive use or emotional dependence, while earlier watchdog research found that ChatGPT could still produce detailed harmful guidance in response to vulnerable prompts.
OpenAI推出青少年版ChatGPT，称将提供更适龄的聊天机器人
OpenAI周二推出了ChatGPT for Teens，这是面向13至17岁用户的聊天机器人版本。公司表示，这一产品更适合青少年，因为他们越来越多地把人工智能用于作业、日常提问和陪伴。
OpenAI称，青少年版本加入了更严格的内容限制，包括对自杀、自伤以及恋爱或性相关对话的约束。公司还表示，这一工具会引导学生围绕答案展开思考，而不是直接生成作文或现成回复。OpenAI说，聊天机器人不会把自己表现为具有个人情感或意识。
OpenAI表示，公司并不直接核验年龄，而是通过年龄推断信号估计用户是否未满18岁；一旦识别为未成年人，账号会自动进入青少年版本。家长和青少年可选择启用家长控制功能，其中包括“安静时段”和在较高风险情形下的部分安全通知。
这一举措出现在社会各界对青少年使用AI聊天机器人的担忧持续上升之际。儿童权益组织Fairplay的Brendan Bouffard表示，这些防护措施可能仍不足以解决强迫性使用和情感依赖问题；而此前的研究也发现，ChatGPT在面对脆弱提示时，仍可能给出较为详细的有害指引。