Asger Risom
OpenAI has introduced new parental control features for ChatGPT following a lawsuit tied to the suicide of a California teenager. Here’s what the new system includes and how it works.
OpenAI has introduced new parental control features for ChatGPT following a lawsuit tied to the suicide of a California teenager. Here’s what the new system includes and how it works.
A Lawsuit That Sparked Reform
The move follows legal action taken by the parents of a California teen who died by suicide. They allege that the chatbot provided guidance on self-harm methods before his death.
New Controls on Web and Mobile
The newly launched parental tools are now available on both desktop and mobile versions of ChatGPT. They allow for closer management of how teens interact with the AI.
Linked Accounts for Families
Parents and teens can now link their ChatGPT accounts. The features only activate with the teen’s consent, creating a shared environment that respects user autonomy.
Content Filtering and Restrictions
Options include blocking sensitive content, limiting the memory of conversations, and disabling image generation and editing features. Parents can also activate quiet periods.
No Access to Chat Logs
OpenAI confirmed that parents will not have full access to the content of conversations. This measure aims to protect user privacy while still improving safety.
Emergency Notifications Allowed
In rare cases where high-risk content is detected, OpenAI may send limited alerts to parents. These are designed to provide only the information necessary to intervene.
Alerts for Account Unlinking
If a teen disconnects their account from a parent’s, a notification will be sent. This transparency aims to keep adults informed of any major changes.
Voice Mode Can Be Disabled
Parents have the option to turn off voice interaction features — part of a broader effort to prevent unintended or risky use cases involving speech-enabled interactions.
Quiet Mode Introduced
A new setting allows parents to block access to ChatGPT during specific hours, such as bedtime or school hours, to promote healthier usage habits.
No Use in Training Models
With controls enabled, conversations from linked teen accounts won’t be used to train future AI models, addressing concerns over data use and privacy.
Age Prediction in Development
OpenAI is also working on an age-prediction system to help apply safety settings automatically, reducing the burden on families to configure tools manually.
This article is made and published by Asger Risom, which may have used AI in the preparation
