OpenAI introduces protections for child and adolescent ChatGPT users

Jakarta (ANTARA) - OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT for Teens, which provides automatic protections for users under the age of 18.

According to OpenAI’s Head of Policy for Southeast Asia, Sandy Kunvatanagarn, ChatGPT for Teens features age-appropriate protection systems alongside additional safety and learning features.

“AI can unlock various opportunities for the younger generation to learn and explore new things. At the same time, parents naturally want to feel confident that AI is being used with appropriate protection and supervision,” he said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

ChatGPT for Teens is equipped with features designed to support healthier and more directed use of artificial intelligence (AI) for children and adolescents, including Break Reminders, Quiet Hours, and a Learning Mode.

Additionally, there is a Parental Oversight feature that allows parents to link their accounts with their teenager’s account to manage certain settings, set quiet hours, and receive security notifications in high-risk situations. However, parents do not have access to view the actual conversations of ChatGPT for Teens users.

OpenAI also introduced the Practical AI Guide for Families, or ‘PandAI for Families’, as a practical manual for parents and teenagers to use AI safely and responsibly. PandAI encourages families to initiate conversations, explore AI usage together, and build habits that align with the teenager’s needs and age.

However, according to a 2025 global survey by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), approximately 44 per cent of parents feel they lack sufficient knowledge to guide their children in using AI.

Sandy emphasised the importance of the parental role in accompanying children as they use AI. “Parental involvement remains crucial in creating an open space for teenagers to discuss and establish boundaries together,” he said.

“Through PandAI, we hope more families will feel better prepared to navigate this process together,” he added.

PandAI was developed in collaboration with the Indonesian parenting education platform, Good Enough Parents, to ensure relevance to the needs of Indonesian families. The guide includes ‘mAIn Cards’, conversation cards designed to facilitate discussions between parents and teenagers regarding topics such as critical thinking, privacy, and knowing when to seek support from others.