OpenAI has rolled out parental controls and a dedicated parent resource page for all ChatGPT users, offering families new tools to guide teens’ use of the platform. The update, effective from today, allows parents to link their account with their teen’s account and manage key settings to ensure a safer and age-appropriate experience.
Once linked, parents can set limits such as quiet hours, disable voice mode, turn off image generation, stop memory usage, and opt out of model training. These settings can only be adjusted by parents, giving them complete control over the experience.
Linked teen accounts will also benefit from stronger default safeguards, including limited exposure to graphic content, viral challenges, romantic or violent roleplay, and extreme beauty standards. Parents may choose to disable these protections, but teens cannot make the changes themselves.
A new notification system has also been introduced to alert parents if ChatGPT detects potential signs of self-harm. Trained staff will review these cases, and if acute distress is identified, parents will be contacted via email, text, or phone alerts. In rare emergencies, law enforcement or emergency services may also be notified.
“These parental controls are a good starting point for parents in managing their teen’s ChatGPT use. Parental controls are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to keeping kids teens safe online, though they work best when combined with ongoing conversations about responsible AI use, clear family rules about technology, and active involvement in understanding what their teen is doing online,” Robbie Torney, Senior Director of AI Programs at Common Sense Media, said.
To support families further, OpenAI has launched a parent resource page that includes guides on how ChatGPT works, instructions for setting up parental controls, and suggestions for positive use in education, creativity, and family activities. The page will continue to be updated with expert advice and tips.
Looking ahead, OpenAI is developing an age prediction system to help identify under-18 users automatically, ensuring teen-appropriate settings are applied. Until that feature is introduced, parental controls remain the primary way for families to manage their teen’s ChatGPT experience.
The company emphasised that this update is part of its broader commitment to improving safeguards for younger users and providing families parental controls tools for safe and responsible AI use.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
