OpenAI Introduces Parental Controls for ChatGPT After Family Lawsuit
OpenAI has announced a significant step toward protecting young users of its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, by introducing parental controls in the coming months.
In a move aimed at enhancing digital safety and emotional well-being, parents will soon be able to link their accounts with their teens’ ChatGPT profiles.
This will allow them to set age-appropriate behavior rules, disable certain features, and receive alerts when their child may be experiencing acute emotional distress.
The announcement follows a tragic lawsuit filed by a California family, who allege that ChatGPT contributed to their 16-year-old son’s suicide.
In response, OpenAI has committed to deepening its collaboration with mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, pediatricians, and specialists in adolescent health, eating disorders, and substance use, to refine the chatbot’s ability to recognize and respond to signs of psychological crisis.
These updates will be part of the rollout of GPT-5, the latest and most advanced version of ChatGPT, which OpenAI describes as its fastest and smartest iteration yet. The company plans to implement these changes within the next 120 days.
This development underscores a vital principle: every child has the right to safety and protection in digital environments. As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, it is important to ensure that children can explore and learn online without being harmed.
