OpenAI Adds ‘Age Prediction’ Feature to ChatGPT to Better Protect Minors

As concerns grow over AI’s impact on young people, OpenAI has introduced a new “age prediction” feature in ChatGPT aimed at identifying underage users and automatically applying stricter content controls.

The move comes after years of criticism over how ChatGPT interacts with children. Several teen suicides have been linked to the chatbot, and OpenAI — like other AI vendors — has faced scrutiny for allowing discussions of sexual topics with minors. In April 2024, the company was forced to address a bug that enabled ChatGPT to generate erotic content for users under 18.

OpenAI says the new feature builds on safeguards already in place rather than replacing them. According to a blog post published Tuesday, the system uses an AI model to evaluate “behavioral and account-level signals” to determine whether an account likely belongs to a minor.

Those signals include factors such as a user’s stated age, how long their account has existed, and typical activity times. If the system flags an account as belonging to someone under 18, ChatGPT automatically applies stricter content filters designed to block discussions involving sex, violence, and other sensitive topics.

Users who are incorrectly identified as minors can appeal the decision. To restore full access, they can verify their age by submitting a selfie to OpenAI’s identity verification partner, Persona, the company said.

The update reflects mounting pressure on AI companies to demonstrate stronger protections for young users as generative AI tools become increasingly embedded in daily life.