OpenAI has confirmed that it will roll out parental control features for ChatGPT within the next month, marking a significant step toward making the AI tool safer and more customizable for younger users and families.
The announcement was made as part of OpenAI’s broader strategy to enhance user safety and trust in its AI products, particularly as usage among teenagers and children continues to rise. With ChatGPT now integrated into classrooms, homework routines, and home devices, the demand for age-appropriate controls has become increasingly urgent.
According to a spokesperson for the company, the new parental control features will allow guardians to set usage restrictions, filter sensitive content, and monitor how younger users interact with the AI assistant. These capabilities are expected to be embedded within the ChatGPT app and web platform, available to both free and paid users of the service.
“Parental controls have been one of the most requested features since we launched ChatGPT,” the spokesperson said. “We are working to release them within the next month to give parents and educators more tools to ensure a safe and tailored experience.”
Though OpenAI has not released full technical details, early reports suggest the parental control suite may include options to limit screen time, restrict certain types of questions or responses, and control access to internet-connected tools such as browsing or third-party plugins available in ChatGPT Plus.
This move comes at a time when concerns about AI exposure among minors are drawing increasing scrutiny. Educational institutions, policy makers, and digital rights advocates have called on tech companies to build safer ecosystems for AI use by children, citing risks such as misinformation, inappropriate content, and overreliance on AI-generated responses.
OpenAI’s new controls are likely to align with existing efforts by major tech companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft, all of which have built parental supervision tools into their platforms. However, integrating these features into a conversational AI platform like ChatGPT presents new challenges, especially given the dynamic and unpredictable nature of generative responses.
The company has said it will continue to consult with child safety experts, educators, and parents to refine the controls post-launch.
ChatGPT, first released in late 2022, now serves millions of users across a wide range of applications. Its rapid adoption has pushed OpenAI to expand its feature set, including memory functions, voice capabilities, and integration with other tools like Microsoft’s Copilot and the iOS ecosystem.
The introduction of parental controls is expected to further widen the platform’s appeal, especially among families and schools seeking safer AI tools that still offer educational and creative benefits.
OpenAI has not provided a specific release date, but the new features are anticipated to arrive in October 2025.
source: edition.cnn