OpenAI recently announced that it will comprehensively strengthen the security of ChatGPT when used by teenagers. This update is not just about content filtering, but also about rethinking “how teenagers should contact artificial intelligence.” OpenAI pointed out that AI has become an important technology affecting the new generation. If teenagers are completely prohibited from using it, it will make them lack the necessary preparations to face the future. Therefore, the key is not to block, but to provide better protection and guidance.
ChatGPT now reminds teenage users to take a break and adds a new parental control feature
According to OpenAI’s observations, nearly 90% of teenagers use ChatGPT every week to learn, research or organize information. Now that use has become normal, OpenAI believes that teenagers should not only have access rights, but also have security mechanisms that truly meet their age needs.
In the latest version, ChatGPT has introduced the “age prediction” function. The system will determine whether a user is under the age of 18 based on their behavior and interaction patterns. Once it is determined to be a teenager, the system will automatically switch to a safer experience mode; if the age cannot be determined, the youth version of the security settings will be provided by default. This mode includes stricter content protection to prevent high-risk content such as violent images, self-harm information, unhealthy body image, and dangerous challenges from appearing in conversations.
In addition to content safety, OpenAI also pays attention to the time management issues of teenagers using AI. The new version of ChatGPT will proactively remind teenagers to take a break after long-term use, encouraging teenagers to maintain a healthy usage rhythm. The parent end has more control capabilities, including setting quiet time, disabling voice mode, managing image generation permissions, and even receiving notifications when the system detects possible risks of self-harm, allowing parents to intervene more immediately.
Another core focus of this update is to help teenagers truly learn to think, rather than relying on AI to give answers directly. OpenAI has launched a “learning mode” jointly designed by teachers and learning experts. When students ask questions, the system will guide them to gradually disassemble the problem, understand the concept, and complete the reasoning, rather than providing immediate answers. Parents can also enable learning mode by default in their children’s accounts, allowing AI to become a facilitator in the learning process rather than a shortcut.
To make it easier for teens to get started, OpenAI has added getting started tips designed for school assignments, as well as a series of interactive math and science tools. These tools currently cover more than 250 topics each week and have benefited more than 18 million users. Through these resources, students can explore knowledge, complete assignments, and develop understanding in a safe environment.
OpenAI stated that the goal of these updates is not to restrict teenagers, but to allow them to access artificial intelligence in a safe, healthy and educational framework. The company emphasizes that AI will be an indispensable tool for the next generation, so it is even more important to guide their use in a responsible way to ensure that learning, creativity and safety are always the top priorities.
Source: KOCPC Chinese