OpenAI has announced the rollout of parental controls and a new parent resource page for ChatGPT, which is now available to all users starting today. The update is designed to provide families with more oversight and flexibility in managing how ChatGPT is used at home, particularly by teens.

Image Courtesy: OpenAI

Key Features of Parental Controls

Parents can now link their account with their teen’s ChatGPT account and manage key settings through a simple control panel. Once accounts are linked, parents gain access to:

• Content protections: Automatic safeguards against graphic material, viral challenges, sexual/violent roleplay, and extreme beauty ideals.

• Customizable settings, including:

  • Quiet hours (restrict usage times).

  • Turning off voice mode.

  • Disabling memory.

  • Blocking image generation.

  • Opting out of model training.

• Notifications: Alerts if ChatGPT detects signs that a teen may be at risk of self-harm, with outreach via email, SMS, or push notifications.

If a teen unlinks their account, parents are notified immediately. Parents can also override some safeguards, though teens cannot disable them.

Stronger Safeguards for Teens

For linked teen accounts, enhanced protections are enabled by default. These guardrails are based on research into teens’ developmental needs. OpenAI emphasizes, however, that no system is perfect, and encourages families to combine these tools with open conversations about technology use.

Expert Collaboration

The controls were developed with input from experts, Common Sense Media, and policymakers, including the Attorneys General of California and Delaware. Robbie Torney, Senior Director of AI Programs at Common Sense Media, called the update “a good starting point,” while emphasizing the importance of combining parental controls with ongoing family dialogue about AI use.

New Parent Resource Hub

Alongside the controls, OpenAI launched a parent resource page. The hub explains how ChatGPT works, outlines safety features, and offers tips for using AI in learning, creativity, and everyday family life. The page will be updated with guides, expert advice, and conversation starters.

What’s Next

Looking ahead, OpenAI is developing an age prediction system to automatically apply teen-appropriate settings for under-18 users. Until then, parental controls remain the primary way for families to ensure their teens are opted into a safe, age-appropriate experience.

OpenAI noted this as a step forward in its broader commitment to making ChatGPT safe, helpful, and accessible for all users.