After numerous lawsuits over safety issues linked to AI chatbots, OpenAI has launched a new version of ChatGPT aimed at teens. The update includes Study Mode and homework reminders designed to discourage cheating.
The company explains that the new features will provide guiding questions and step-by-step support to help teens engage with their curiosity and understand material better. However, it's unclear how effective these measures will be in practice, given teenagers' well-known ability to bypass such restrictions.
Parents can now use family tools and parental controls to manage settings, receive safety notifications, and set Quiet Hours. OpenAI also partnered with CodeAI to help teens learn more about AI, including how it works and how to use it responsibly.
The new version of ChatGPT for Teens comes after the original scaled to 900 million weekly users before meaningful safeguards were added specifically for teenage users. While these age-appropriate protections are now on by default, their effectiveness remains to be seen in the face of determined teenagers.
