OpenAI has rolled out ChatGPT for Teens, a specialized version of its chatbot tailored for users aged 13 to 17. The new experience is designed with learning-focused tools and additional safety guardrails to address concerns regarding minors' interaction with AI technology. Teen accounts are automatically routed into this environment, which features a study-focused mode, homework nudges intended to discourage answer-copying, quizzes, and visual learning aids.
Product Features and Safety
The platform introduces "Study Hours," a scheduling option that keeps the learning mode enabled by default during selected times. OpenAI framed the design as support for work done outside of school, while maintaining separate offerings such as ChatGPT for Teachers to keep educators in charge of classroom use. An educator highlighted the intent behind the "Responsible Homework Reminder" tool, noting it guides students step-by-step to help them understand mistakes and build confidence rather than simply providing answers.
On safety, teen users receive default protections meant to reduce exposure to harmful or age-inappropriate material. Higher-risk areas covered include self-harm, violence, eating disorders, dangerous activities, and explicit sexual or graphic content. Parents with linked accounts can adjust settings, set quiet hours, and receive limited safety notifications. Added alerts are tied specifically to violence, self-harm, eating disorders, dangerous activities, and explicit sexual or graphic content.
Strategic Partnerships and Projects
OpenAI announced a "signature partnership" with CodeAI, aimed at expanding access to AI tools and learning resources for students and educators. Karim Meghji, CEO of CodeAI, stated that every student should know how AI works, be able to question the technology, catch its mistakes, and know when to stop trusting it.
The company pointed to teen projects built with help from ChatGPT as examples of constructive use. These include WiFind, a search-and-rescue concept using existing Wi-Fi signals to locate people trapped after disasters, and Audemy, an audio-based educational game platform for blind students. OpenAI noted that Audemy reached 200,000 users and featured 50 games.
Regulatory and Legal Context
The launch comes amid growing scrutiny over safeguards for children in the AI sector. Multiple lawsuits and investigations have raised concerns about harmful chatbot interactions, mental health risks, and minors encountering inappropriate content.
Recent legal actions include:
- A federal class-action lawsuit filed by three Tennessee teenagers against Elon Musk’s xAI, alleging that its chatbot Grok was used to create child sexual abuse material by manipulating real photos. A fourth plaintiff has since been added to the case.
- A lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against Discord in April, accusing the company of misleading families while enabling adults to target minors. The investigation began in October 2025 following reports linking the service to the person accused of killing Charlie Kirk, alongside allegations of exposure to sexual exploitation and extremist material.
- A lawsuit filed earlier this year by families of victims in a mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, against Sam Altman and OpenAI. The plaintiffs claim ChatGPT failed to alert authorities to the incident.
- Multiple lawsuits against OpenAI’s ChatGPT alleging the bot acted as an "unlicensed therapist" or "suicide coach," providing harmful advice or neglecting to refer users to crisis counselors.