OpenAI Enhances Protections for Teenagers Using ChatGPT

OpenAI has launched a new experience tailored for teenagers on its ChatGPT platform, featuring additional safety measures, particularly for users under the age of 18. The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that, citing the tech website The Verge, the new experience, rolled out by the company starting on the 18th of the current month, is named “ChatGPT for Teens.”

This experience focuses on two main pillars: learning and safety, while continuing to make ChatGPT available to teenagers for learning, creativity, and exploration, within controls specifically designed for this age group.

On the educational front, OpenAI is enhancing the use of the “Study Mode” feature, which helps students access step-by-step solutions rather than receiving direct answers, through guiding questions, structured explanations, and opportunities for reflection and review. Parents who have linked their accounts to their children’s accounts can activate this feature via parental control tools.

The company clarified that the “Study Hours” feature allows users to designate specific times during which study mode is automatically activated, whether chosen by the teenager or set by their parents through the linked account. It also includes ready-made suggestions to help initiate educational tasks, such as simplifying a study topic, preparing review flashcards, or generating practice questions.

Regarding safety, OpenAI has tightened restrictions on emotional interactions, ensuring that the model does not treat teenagers as if they were friends. Additionally, reminders to take breaks have become more prominent to encourage younger users to maintain a balanced relationship with technology.