In a bid to crack down on harmful activities, the model – which is designed with young people in mind – limits access to controversial topics such as self-harm and sexual content.

AI companies have long been criticised for exposing young people and children to graphic and inappropriate content online. 

In response to growing concern over the protection of vulnerable people, OpenAI has launched a new ChatGPT model designed specifically for teenagers aged between 13 and 17.

Companies such as OpenAI have faced significant criticism for exposing children to harmful and illegal material by allowing them to access information, advice and images covering inappropriate topics such as suicide, self-harm, violence, eating disorders and graphic sexual behaviours. 

In April of 2025, a 16-year old boy ended his life by suicide after months of discussing his worsening mental health with an OpenAI chatbot that, according to a lawsuit filed by his family, encouraged suicidal ideation. The bot even offered to help draft a suicide note for his family. 

The new ChatGPT model aims to limit high-risk conversations and in some cases, if deemed necessary and if the prompt has been opted in to, the system will alert adults to suspect behaviour through parental controls and notifications. The model will also prevent the bot from suggesting it has personal feelings. 

It will instead offer studying tools and learning support. Rather than providing the answers to queries straight away it will aim to guide the young person towards the solution, so they can work it out for themselves. 

Reportedly, the model will use more than 2,000 signals to detect if a user has lied about their age to gain access to a standard model and if they are deemed to be under the age of 18 the chatbot will automatically turn on the teen mode.

In a statement OpenAI said, “We will continue to build additional features in order for teens to benefit from AI and measure and publish what we are learning. Teens should be able to use AI to learn, create, and explore. But that access should come with protections that reflect their developmental stage, reinforce real-world relationships, and support healthy use over time. ChatGPT for Teens is our next step in building toward that standard.”

Yesterday (18 August) a cohort of four US states announced they are taking Meta to trial in a bid to prove that the social media giant knowingly causes harm to children. The suit claims that Meta specifically targets users under 13 years old in order to harvest data, send targeted advertising and develop ways to prolong their time on their apps, all as a means of monetisation.

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