18 August 2026

OpenAI launches ChatGPT version for ages 13-17 with safety guardrails

OpenAI released ChatGPT for Teens on Tuesday, a version of its chatbot with stricter content filters around self-harm, eating disorders, suicide and sexual material for users aged 13 to 17.
The chatbot will not pretend to have emotions or feelings toward users, and it automatically routes anyone estimated to be under 18 into this version based on behavioral signals like login patterns.
Parents who link their account can set quiet hours blocking access, receive alerts about high-risk situations, and control when Study Mode activates by default for homework help.
In Study Mode, the chatbot refuses to provide direct answers but instead asks guiding questions to help teens work through problems themselves, preventing use as a cheating tool.
OpenAI faces multiple lawsuits alleging ChatGPT contributed to teenage deaths and injuries, and this launch comes as legal pressure from states and families over AI's effects on minors intensifies.