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OpenAI launches ChatGPT for Teens with new safety features

OpenAI has launched a new version of its ChatGPT chatbot for teenagers, with new safety features to prevent them from being misled into thinking the AI is human. The new version will allow teens to switch off the human voice response and receive reminders to take a break …

By Zoe Kleinman·Aug 18·bbc.co.uk·3 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

A young woman, whose face cannot be seen, sits cross-legged while holding and using her smartphone. She is wearing blue jeans and a lilac vest top.
A young woman, whose face cannot be seen, sits cross-legged while holding and using her smartphone. She is wearing blue jeans and a lilac vest top.Image: bbc.co.uk

OpenAI has launched a new version of its ChatGPT chatbot for teenagers, with new safety features to prevent them from being misled into thinking the AI is human. The new version will allow teens to switch off the human voice response and receive reminders to take a break from using the tool.

Why it matters

The launch of ChatGPT for Teens highlights growing concerns about the impact of AI on young people's mental health and well-being. The new safety features aim to prevent teens from being misled into thinking the AI is human, which could have negative consequences for their mental health.

Imagine you have a really smart computer that can talk to you and help you with your homework. But sometimes, this computer can be a bit too good at pretending to be a person. To help keep you safe, the people who made this computer have added some new features. Now, you can turn off the part of the computer that makes it sound like a person, and you'll get reminders to take a break from using it. This way, you can use the computer to help you with your homework, but you'll also be safe from getting confused about what's real and what's not.

Analysis

Safety Features for Teens

OpenAI has launched a new version of its ChatGPT chatbot for teenagers, with new safety features to prevent them from being misled into thinking the AI is human. The new version will allow teens to switch off the human voice response and receive reminders to take a break from using the tool.

The safety features are designed to address growing concerns about the impact of AI on young people's mental health and well-being. Research has shown that excessive use of AI can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression in teenagers. By introducing these safety features, OpenAI aims to prevent teens from being misled into thinking the AI is human, which could have negative consequences for their mental health.

Study Mode and Quiet Time

In addition to the safety features, OpenAI has also introduced Study Mode and quiet time for teens. Study Mode allows teens to set hours during which the chatbot will only provide guidance on schoolwork, without giving away the answers. Quiet time allows teens to switch off the chatbot for a set period, giving them a break from the tool.

Eating Disorder-Themed Prompts

OpenAI has also added eating disorder-themed prompts to a list of harmful user requests that will be flagged to parents with linked accounts. The company says each alert will be reviewed by a human before it is sent, and it aims to have them with parents within an hour of the request being made.

AI Regulation

The launch of ChatGPT for Teens highlights the need for regulation of AI in the UK. While there is currently no bespoke AI regulation in the UK, the government has considered restricting AI chatbots for under-18s. OpenAI's safety features are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to protect young people from the potential negative consequences of AI.

Key points

  • OpenAI has launched a new version of its ChatGPT chatbot for teenagers, with new safety features to prevent them from being misled into thinking the AI is human.
  • The new version will allow teens to switch off the human voice response and receive reminders to take a break from using the tool.
  • OpenAI has also introduced Study Mode and quiet time for teens, allowing them to set hours during which the chatbot will only provide guidance on schoolwork, without giving away the answers.
  • Eating disorder-themed prompts have been added to a list of harmful user requests that will be flagged to parents with linked accounts.
The Upside

The launch of ChatGPT for Teens is a positive step towards protecting young people from the potential negative consequences of AI. By introducing safety features and regulating AI chatbots, we can ensure that young people are able to use AI in a way that is safe and beneficial for their mental health and well-being.

The Downside

However, the launch of ChatGPT for Teens also highlights the need for more regulation of AI in the UK. While the safety features are a step in the right direction, more needs to be done to protect young people from the potential negative consequences of AI. Without proper regulation, young people may still be at risk of being misled into thinking the AI is human, which could have negative consequences for their mental health.

Originally reported at

bbc.co.uk

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsai-agentsyoung-peoplemental-healthsafety-featuresai-regulation

Author

Zoe Kleinman

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Aug 18, 2026

Source

bbc.co.uk

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Topics

ai-agentsyoung-peoplemental-healthsafety-featuresai-regulation

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