Revolution in ChatGPT: The new version that changes the rules of the game
OpenAI is launching a dedicated service aimed at a young audience, which includes unprecedented restrictions on sensitive content, advanced learning tools, and special monitoring options for concerned parents.
OpenAI has launched a dedicated version of ChatGPT for teenagers aged 13 to 17, as part of efforts to increase safety in the use of artificial intelligence among minors. The new version includes restrictions on sensitive content, tools designed to assist in learning, and a parental control system.
According to a Reuters report, the launch comes against the backdrop of growing criticism and lawsuits against technology companies regarding the potential impact of AI tools on teenagers. In the new version, additional protections are enabled by default around sensitive topics, with the system designed to provide an experience more tailored to the user's age.
OpenAI has restricted interactions on topics related to self-harm, eating disorders, violence, and sexual or romantic content. The company also limits certain features, including voice mode and image generation, and encourages teenagers to take breaks during prolonged use.
At the same time, the emphasis in the new version is not only on restricting content. OpenAI is integrating tools designed to turn ChatGPT into a learning aid. The learning mode allows students to receive step-by-step guidance instead of receiving a ready-made answer, along with quizzes, visual illustrations, and the ability to set times when the learning mode will be activated automatically.
Parents also receive new tools. It is possible to link a parent's account to a teenager's account, set quiet hours during which the service cannot be used, and manage some of the safety settings. In certain cases where the system identifies a situation that may indicate danger, the parent can receive a safety alert. However, parental control does not allow parents to read the content of their children's conversations.
This move fits into a broader policy of OpenAI to protect teenagers. The company already operates a mechanism for predicting the user's age, through which it can identify accounts that may belong to users under the age of 18 and apply an adapted user experience and additional protections to them.
Alongside the protections, OpenAI emphasizes the use of artificial intelligence for learning purposes. The company stated that many teenagers use ChatGPT for learning, information, and skill development, and therefore it is developing tools aimed at encouraging critical thinking and understanding instead of reliance on ready-made answers.
Alongside the launch, the company also published a guide for parents that explains how to set up the safety tools, set boundaries for use, and encourage appropriate habits at home. The move comes at a time when companies in the field of AI are under increasing scrutiny from parents, regulators, and legislators.
