Character.ai restricts teen chat access on its platform
Teen users will face restrictions on AI conversations, as Character.ai introduces age verification, research funding, and new safety-focused features.
The AI chatbot service, Character.ai, has announced that teenagers can no longer chat with its AI characters from 25 November.
Under-18s will instead be limited to generating content such as videos, as the platform responds to concerns over risky interactions and lawsuits in the US.
Character.ai has faced criticism after avatars related to sensitive cases were discovered on the site, prompting safety experts and parents to call for stricter measures.
The company cited feedback from regulators and safety specialists, explaining that AI chatbots can pose emotional risks for young users by feigning empathy or providing misleading encouragement.
Character.ai also plans to introduce new age verification systems and fund a research lab focused on AI safety, alongside enhancing role-play and storytelling features that are less likely to place teens in vulnerable situations.
Safety campaigners welcomed the decision but emphasised that preventative measures should have been implemented.
Experts warn the move reflects a broader shift in the AI industry, where platforms increasingly recognise the importance of child protection in a landscape transitioning from permissionless innovation to more regulated oversight.
Analysts note the challenge for Character.ai will be maintaining teen engagement without encouraging unsafe interactions.
Separating creative play from emotionally sensitive exchanges is key, and the company’s new approach may signal a maturing phase in AI development, where responsible innovation prioritises the protection of young users.
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