New Age-Based Restrictions Rolled Out by OpenAI

Published: 18 Sep 2025

Author: Precedence Research

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Amid heavy debate of drawbacks and negative effects on teenager’s behavior due to growing technology and internet penetration across the globe, ChatGPT maker OpenAI took surprising yet responsible move by introducing a new user policy and some restrictions for users under 18 years old, highlighting how tech giants can be sensibly represent how technology should be used for betterment while overcoming its potential threats for next generation or human existence itself.

Sam Altman pledges to prominently change the interaction of ChatGPT and new age users under 18 years by sharing the message that, "We prioritize safety ahead of privacy and freedom for teens. This is a new and powerful technology, and we believe minors need significant protection.”

The change for users deals particularly with the topics related to sexuality or self-harm, like suicidal thoughts or thoughts showcasing potential mental illness with destructive behavior and thoughts. By using this policy, it is confirmed by ChatGPT maker that the AI model will no longer be trained to respond to flirtatious talk with underage users. Suppose anyone with underage tried to chat about suicidal attempts or self-harming expressions. In that case, the service will attempt to contact their guardians or parents specifically. In some cases, it will even contact the local police station, considering it a violation of their policy and a means to save people’s lives in severe cases.

Sadly, such scenarios are not just fleeting speculations or future possibilities in worst-case scenarios. Currently, OpenAI is facing a lawsuit of death lawsuit from the parents of Adam Raine, who committed suicide after interaction with ChatGPT. Similarly, another AI model named Character.AI is facing a similar lawsuit. It becomes more concerning as Artificial Intelligence models are becoming more interactive and specific while responding, which seems as an urgent threat to work upon, especially for underage users.

Therefore, this huge step has been taken by ChatGPT by recognizing its seriousness. Along with restrictions on content, parents can set blackout hours for the use of ChatGPT by underage users who register an account, in which ChatGPT access will be denied to underage users for safety purposes.

Sam Altman also mentioned in the same post that how adults will interact with ChatGPT is totally their choice and ChatGPT will respect their privacy, giving adults a broad freedom in interaction with ChatGPT, though these two claims seem contradictory. Still, they are essential to balance responsible use of AI technology while giving space to adults who want to explore more in the context of sexual information and other adultery-related things.