OpenAI auto-enrolls under-18s into a separate ChatGPT with no opt-in step
OpenAI began rolling out ChatGPT for Teens on August 18, moving anyone who states they are 13 to 17 — or whom its age-prediction system estimates is under 18 — into a restricted default with no new account or setting change. The teen model is barred from romantic language and from claiming feelings or sentience, Study Hours switches Study Mode on automatically, and linked parents get text, in-app and email alerts on high-risk conversations within about an hour. That makes age inference, not user choice, the control point for consumer AI policy, and OpenAI has not published how accurately the prediction performs — the number the entire design rests on.
Source: thenextweb.com ↗
There's no need for a teen to create a new account or change anything; if we predict you're under 18, or you've told us so, this becomes your default experience.
Why this matters
- → Age inference, not user consent, now controls teen AI access
- → Accuracy of age-prediction system untested — entire design rests on unknown metric
- → Sets precedent for how platforms enforce age-restricted policies on minors