OpenAI has introduced new safety and educational tools for teenage users of ChatGPT, including a "Study Mode" designed to encourage critical thinking rather than providing direct answers. The company is also expanding parental controls and age-prediction safeguards to ensure teens have access to AI while maintaining appropriate protections.
- Study Mode was built with teachers and learning scientists to help students work through problems step-by-step using guiding questions and structured explanations.
- Parents can now enable Study Mode directly from Parental Controls for linked teen accounts, where it is on by default for new chats.
- Education-focused starter prompts allow teens to break down topics, create flashcards, or check evidence and clarity.
- Interactive learning experiences have expanded to more than 250 topics, including math and science subjects, with over 18 million weekly users engaging with them.
- Age-appropriate experiences include stronger safeguards against graphic violence, self-harm, and risky content for users estimated to be under 18.
- Teen accounts now receive frequent break reminders to encourage healthy habits after extended usage.
- Parental notifications have been expanded to include cases where a teen account is deactivated for violent threats or acts of violence.
These changes aim to balance broad access with age-appropriate protections, helping teens benefit from AI for learning and creativity while reducing exposure to harmful content.