Written by Faith Mwende
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Tuesday announced new policies for ChatGPT accounts registered to users under 18.
The changes include blocking “flirtatious talk” with minors and adding stronger protections around conversations involving self-harm. In serious situations, the system may notify parents or local authorities. Parents will also be able to set “blackout hours” that limit when ChatGPT can be accessed.
“We prioritize safety ahead of privacy and freedom for teens,” Altman wrote. “This is a new and powerful technology, and we believe minors need significant protection.”
The announcement coincided with a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on AI chatbots, where families and experts were invited to testify.
OpenAI said it is developing long-term systems to identify whether a user is under 18, but will apply the stricter rules by default when there is uncertainty.
In the same post, Altman added, “We realize that these principles are in conflict, and not everyone will agree with how we are resolving that conflict.”
