{"slug": "openai-launches-chatgpt-for-teens", "title": "OpenAI launches ChatGPT for Teens", "summary": "OpenAI launched ChatGPT for Teens on Tuesday, a customizable version of its AI chatbot designed for users aged 13 to 17, featuring safeguards such as break prompts, parental notifications, and a new Study Hours setting. The launch comes amid scrutiny over OpenAI's safety record, including a recent lawsuit alleging a teen used ChatGPT in a double murder.", "body_md": "# OpenAI launches ChatGPT for Teens\n\n[Rebecca Ruiz](/author/rebecca-ruiz)\n\n[Read Full Bio](/author/rebecca-ruiz)\n\nThe majority of teens use [artificial intelligence](https://mashable.com/category/artificial-intelligence), including [ChatGPT](https://mashable.com/category/chatgpt), for [schoolwork and entertainment](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/research/report/2026-ai-use-by-tweens-and-teens-1.pdf). Now [OpenAI](https://mashable.com/category/openai) has created a new dedicated product for them: ChatGPT for Teens.\n\nThis customizable version of ChatGPT, which debuted Tuesday, is designed to \"support\" learning and human relationships, according to OpenAI's launch announcement. It will be the default experience for any self-identified teen or users who OpenAI estimate are between the ages of 13 and 17.\n\n\"The goal is to make this a learning tool for teens and make sure that it's the best that it can be with built-in safeguards,\" Lauren Jonas, head of youth and families at OpenAI, told Mashable.\n\n**You May Also Like**\n\nChatGPT for Teens debuts at a time of intense scrutiny for OpenAI. It recently announced that one of its [agents hacked into another company](https://mashable.com/tech/hugging-face-openai-rogue-agent-hack-explained). OpenAI also faces numerous [safety-related lawsuits](https://mashable.com/tech/florida-first-state-to-sue-open-ai-over-links-to-violence-and-self-harm) alleging that ChatGPT has encouraged dependency and [put adult and minor users in dangerous](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/22/well/openai-chatgpt-health-lawsuit.html) or [life-ending situations](https://mashable.com/article/openai-lawsuit-deny-allegations-adam-raine).\n\n## What is ChatGPT for Teens like?\n\nChatGPT for Teens incorporates existing safety measures for minors and introduces new learning and well-being features.\n\nThe product offers frequent break prompts, reminders that users are interacting with AI, warnings against uploading sensitive images, and parental notifications when users discuss acts of violence.\n\nOpenAI said ChatGPT for Teens shouldn't use romantic language, suggest that it possesses feelings or consciousness, or foster emotional dependence.\n\n\"If they are not engaging in learning-focused content, the goal is to continue to bolster the age-appropriate experience and the safeguards,\" Jonas told Mashable.\n\nShe added that, moving forward, all starter prompts in ChatGPT for Teens will be related to education rather than other personal topics.\n\n[Terms of Use](https://www.ziffdavis.com/terms-of-use)and\n\n[Privacy Policy](https://www.ziffdavis.com/ztg-privacy-policy).\n\nThe product includes new features like reminders to complete homework responsibly to prevent shortcuts and quizzes based on chat content or a user's notes.\n\nAdditionally, the new \"Study Hours\" setting allows teens and parents to restrict ChatGPT to Study Mode for set periods of time each day. Study Mode is designed to help teens with learning by employing \"step-by-step collaborative problem solving.\"\n\nBoth parents and teens can set Study Hours, as well as Quiet Hours, an existing setting that shuts ChatGPT down altogether.\n\nYoung users can customize ChatGPT for Teens with color accents, app icons, and voice variations.\n\n## Promising ChatGPT examples, lingering concerns\n\nOpenAI highlighted impressive examples of how teens use ChatGPT in its announcement.\n\nTwo teen users in Virginia developed a search-and-rescue system by asking ChatGPT to help with research and prototyping. A Texas user created a platform that generates audio-based educational games for blind students.\n\nThe inspiring anecdotes, however, may be overshadowed by darker examples.\n\nLast week, Massachusetts authorities accused a 17-year-old boy of murdering his mother and younger brother after [using ChatGPT to play out fantasy stories involving their deaths](https://mashable.com/tech/ai-play-role-double-murder).\n\n[OpenAI has been sued for the wrongful deaths](https://mashable.com/article/chatgpt-lawsuits-openai) of teen users who died by suicide after prolonged, heavy engagement with ChatGPT. At least one of those teens, Adam Raine, began using ChatGPT for homework help before [becoming emotionally reliant on the chatbot](https://mashable.com/article/openai-lawsuit-deny-allegations-adam-raine), according to the [lawsuit filed by his parents last year](https://cdn.sanity.io/files/3tzzh18d/production/5802c13979a6056f86690687a629e771a07932ab.pdf).\n\nThe [state of Florida is suing the company](https://mashable.com/tech/florida-first-state-to-sue-open-ai-over-links-to-violence-and-self-harm) for allegedly deceiving consumers about ChatGPT's safety. [OpenAI has previously denied wrongdoing](https://mashable.com/article/openai-lawsuit-deny-allegations-adam-raine) in response to some of these allegations.\n\nAs of ChatGPT for Teens' launch, OpenAI sends parental notifications when teen users with parental controls discuss self-harm, suicide, and violence in immediate or potentially dangerous ways.\n\n*If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at *\n\n__988lifeline.org__*. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text \"START\" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email*\n\n[[email protected]](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#066f6860694668676b6f28697461)*. If you don't like the phone, consider using the*\n\n__988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat__*. Here is a*\n\n__list of international resources__*.*\n\n*Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.*\n\nTopics\n[Social Good](https://mashable.com/category/social-good)\n[Family & Parenting](https://mashable.com/category/family-parenting)\n[OpenAI](https://mashable.com/category/openai)\n\nRebecca Ruiz is a Senior Reporter at Mashable. She frequently covers mental health, digital culture, and technology. Her areas of expertise include suicide prevention, screen use and mental health, parenting, youth well-being, and meditation and mindfulness. Rebecca's experience prior to Mashable includes working as a staff writer, reporter, and editor at NBC News Digital and as a staff writer at Forbes. Rebecca has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and a masters degree from U.C. Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism.", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/openai-launches-chatgpt-for-teens", "canonical_source": "https://mashable.com/tech/chatgpt-for-teens", "published_at": "2026-08-18 11:00:00+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-08-18 11:42:59.882642+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["artificial-intelligence", "ai-products", "ai-safety", "ai-policy"], "entities": ["OpenAI", "ChatGPT", "Lauren Jonas", "Mashable"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/openai-launches-chatgpt-for-teens", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/openai-launches-chatgpt-for-teens.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/openai-launches-chatgpt-for-teens.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/openai-launches-chatgpt-for-teens.jsonld"}}