A New Layer of Protection for Teen Users
ChatGPT has introduced a new set of optional parental controls designed to make the AI chatbot safer for younger users, particularly teenagers. These guardrails include content filters, safety alerts, and usage limits—tools that can help parents protect teens from harmful or sensitive content.
To set up the controls, parents must first link their own ChatGPT account to their child’s. Once connected, parents can limit exposure to certain topics, disable image generation, restrict chat memory, and receive safety alerts if their teen shows signs of emotional distress.
However, experts caution that while these changes are a positive step, risks remain—and the responsibility doesn’t lie solely with parents.
Why Parental Controls Matter
According to Pew Research, nearly one in four U.S. teens uses ChatGPT to assist with schoolwork. A Common Sense Media survey found that about a third of teens aged 13 to 17 have turned to AI companions for emotional support or social interaction.
That reliance has raised concerns, particularly after reports of AI-related mental health incidents. Earlier this year, 16-year-old Adam Raine tragically took his own life after months of discussing mental health struggles with ChatGPT. Although the tool occasionally directed him to crisis hotlines, a lawsuit filed by his parents alleges that it also provided harmful responses that reinforced negative thought patterns.
“An AI companion is designed to create a relationship with the user,” says Susan Gonzales, founder of AIandYou, a nonprofit focused on AI literacy. “For someone who is lonely or struggling, it can feel comforting—but that relationship isn’t human, and that can be dangerous.”
In a statement, OpenAI said:
“Teen well-being is a top priority for us—minors deserve strong protections, especially in sensitive moments.”
The company says it’s working to strengthen safeguards and improve its responses during long or emotionally charged conversations.
The Burden on Parents
Some parents feel that the new features don’t go far enough.
Emily Cherkin, a Seattle parent and digital wellness advocate, argues that parental controls shift responsibility away from companies and onto families. “Any illusion of control still puts the burden on parents to manually set something or block something,” she says.
Experts also note that tech-savvy teens can bypass many of these restrictions. They can create new accounts with different emails, use ChatGPT without logging in, or cleverly prompt the tool to ignore its own restrictions.
“Parental controls are just one piece of the puzzle,” says Robbie Torney, senior director of AI programs at Common Sense Media, which advised OpenAI on developing these tools. “Parents should know that ongoing communication about safe tech use is still essential.”
According to Stephen Balkam, founder of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), digital safety requires “solutions from all angles”—including stronger privacy protections, corporate accountability, and active parental involvement.
FOSI recommends parents use its Family Online Safety Agreement to guide conversations around mental health, misinformation, and responsible AI use.
How to Set Up ChatGPT’s Parental Controls
Here’s a step-by-step guide to linking accounts and adjusting settings.
1. Connect to Your Teen’s ChatGPT Account
To use parental controls, parents need their own ChatGPT account. Once signed in:
- Click your profile icon (bottom left).
- Go to Settings → Parental Controls → Add Family Member.
- Enter your child’s email address and select “My child.”
Your teen will receive an invitation to link accounts. They can also send you an invite by selecting “My parent or guardian.”
Once accepted, your child’s account will appear under Parental Controls in your settings. From there, you can toggle features on or off.
Note: Parents do not gain access to their child’s chat history unless a message triggers a safety alert.
2. Reduce Exposure to Sensitive Content
When accounts are linked, ChatGPT automatically filters content that may include violence, sexual material, extreme body ideals, or viral “challenge” trends.
To confirm this setting:
- Go to Settings → Parental Controls, and ensure “Reduce sensitive content” is toggled on (it’s enabled by default).
Even with filters active, experts advise monitoring usage—AI can still engage in unhealthy or validating dialogue with distressed teens.
3. Set Up Safety Notifications
ChatGPT can send alerts to parents if a teen’s messages show signs of self-harm or emotional crisis. A trained OpenAI safety team reviews flagged conversations, and notifications are typically sent within hours.
To manage how you receive alerts:
- Go to Settings → Parental Controls → Manage Notifications.
- Choose between push notifications, email, or SMS alerts.
- You can also get notifications when ChatGPT performs time-consuming tasks like image generation.
4. Turn Off Image Generation
AI-generated images can introduce risks, including exposure to harmful content or unrealistic body standards.
To disable this feature:
- Go to Settings → Parental Controls, and toggle off “Image generation.”
5. Set Quiet Hours
Parents can now establish “quiet hours” to limit when their teen can use ChatGPT. This can help balance study time and reduce late-night screen use.
To activate:
- Go to Settings → Parental Controls → Quiet Hours.
- Set specific start and end times for restricted use.
6. Decide Whether to Turn Off Chat History
ChatGPT saves chat history so it can continue conversations or tailor responses based on previous interactions.
Turning this off reduces personalization—and may help prevent emotional overreliance on the AI—but also limits educational continuity.
Common Sense Media recommends leaving memory on for learning purposes and so ChatGPT can better detect concerning behavior patterns.
To disable:
- Go to Settings → Parental Controls, and toggle off “Reference saved memories.”
7. Opt Out of Model Training
By default, ChatGPT uses anonymized conversation data to improve its models. You can turn this off for privacy reasons.
To opt out:
- Go to Settings → Parental Controls, and toggle off “Improve the model for everyone.”
- You can do the same for your own account under Settings → Data Controls.
What These Changes Mean for Families
ChatGPT’s parental controls are a meaningful step toward safer AI use among teens—but they’re not a substitute for guidance and open communication.
Experts agree that no technology can replace conversation. Parents should discuss online behavior, mental health, and digital literacy regularly.
“Technology will always evolve faster than our ability to regulate it,” says Balkam of FOSI. “But with education, conversation, and tools like these, we can help young people navigate it more safely.”
Key Takeaway:
ChatGPT’s parental controls offer better safeguards—but the most powerful protection still comes from informed, ongoing conversations between parents and teens about technology, safety, and emotional well-being.