New Safety Controls Introduced by Character.ai for Users Under 18

Character.AI Restricts Under-18 Access Following Lawsuits and Teen Suicide concerns

October 31, 2025 – Character.AI, the popular artificial intelligence chatbot platform, is significantly restricting access for users under the age of 18, effective November 24th. The move comes amid mounting legal pressure and growing concerns over the platform’s potential impact on vulnerable young users.

The company announced Wednesday that users under 18 will no longer be able too engage in open-ended conversations with its virtual characters. Initially, under-18 users will be limited to two hours of chat time per day, with that limit decreasing gradually over the following month.

This decision follows a wrongful death lawsuit filed in 2024, alleging that Character.AI’s chatbots contributed to the suicide of a 14-year-old boy in Orlando. The suit claims Sewell Setzer III became increasingly isolated and engaged in highly sexualized conversations with the AI before his death. Additionally, a separate lawsuit was filed earlier this year by parents in Texas alleging the platform encouraged self-harm in their children.

The restrictions are being implemented as lawmakers increasingly scrutinize the safety of AI chatbots. A bipartisan bill, the GUARD Act, was recently unveiled in response to concerns about teen suicides and violence potentially linked to interactions with AI companions.

“We are committed to providing a safe and positive experience for all of our users,” a Character.AI spokesperson stated. “These changes are being made to better protect our younger users and ensure they are using the platform responsibly.”

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

What are the limitations of Character.ai’s current parental control features?

Understanding the Evolving Landscape of AI chatbots & Teen Safety

Character.ai has become a popular platform for creating and interacting with AI personas. However, concerns regarding safety, particularly for younger users, have been prevalent. As of January 9, 2025, and continuing with updates throughout the year, Character.ai has implemented new safety controls specifically designed for users under the age of 18. This article details these changes, offering parents and teens a extensive overview of the enhanced safety features and responsible usage guidelines. We’ll cover everything from content filtering to reporting mechanisms, ensuring a safer experience within the AI chatbot surroundings.

Key Updates to Character.ai’s Safety Features

Character.ai recognizes the need to balance creative freedom with user protection. The recent updates focus on several core areas:

* Age Verification: While not foolproof, Character.ai has strengthened its age verification processes. This aims to ensure users are accurately categorized and subject to the appropriate safety settings.

* Enhanced Content Filtering: the platform now employs more robust content filtering algorithms. These algorithms are designed to detect and block perhaps harmful or inappropriate content, including:

* Sexually suggestive material

* Hate speech and discriminatory language

* Content promoting violence or self-harm

* Personally Identifiable Information (PII) requests

* Restricted Character Access: Certain characters known to generate problematic responses might potentially be restricted for younger users. This doesn’t necessarily mean those characters are removed, but access is limited based on age.

* Reporting Mechanisms: Improved reporting tools allow users to flag inappropriate content or behavior quickly and efficiently. Character.ai states they are committed to reviewing all reports promptly.

* Parental Controls (Limited): currently,direct parental control features are limited. Though, the platform recommends open dialog and monitoring of teen usage. (See “Practical Tips for Parents” below).

Diving Deeper: How the Content Filtering Works

The core of the new safety measures lies in the upgraded content filtering system. This system utilizes a combination of techniques:

1. Keyword Detection: Identifying and blocking conversations containing flagged keywords.
2. Sentiment Analysis: Assessing the emotional tone of the conversation to detect potentially harmful or distressing content.
3. Contextual Understanding: Analyzing the overall context of the conversation to better understand the intent and meaning behind the words used. This is crucial to avoid false positives.
4. Machine Learning: Continuously learning and improving its ability to identify and filter inappropriate content based on user reports and feedback.

It’s critically important to note that no filtering system is perfect. Character.ai acknowledges this and encourages users to report any instances where the filters fail to catch inappropriate content.

What Parents Need to Know: Qustodio’s Perspective

According to a recent report by Qustodio (January 9, 2025), despite these improvements, Character.ai is still not recommended for users under 16 due to inherent risks and limitations in the controls. The report highlights the potential for AI chatbots to generate unexpected and potentially harmful responses, even with filtering in place.

If you choose to allow your teen (16+) to use Character.ai, Qustodio recommends:

* Open Communication: Discuss the potential risks and responsible usage guidelines with your teen.

* Regular Monitoring: Check in with your teen about their experiences on the platform.

* Privacy Settings: Review and adjust privacy settings together.

* Reporting Concerns: Encourage your teen to report any uncomfortable or inappropriate interactions.

Understanding the Risks: Potential Concerns Remain

While the new safety controls are a positive step, several risks still exist:

* AI Hallucinations: AI chatbots can sometimes “hallucinate” or generate false information. This can be misleading or even harmful.

* Manipulation & Grooming: Even though filters are in place, determined individuals could potentially attempt to manipulate or groom younger users.

* Exposure to Inappropriate content: Filters aren’t foolproof, and users may still encounter inappropriate content.

* Emotional Dependence: excessive use of AI chatbots can lead to emotional dependence or unrealistic expectations about relationships.

Practical Tips for Parents & Teens: Promoting Safe AI Interaction

Here are some actionable steps to promote safe and responsible use of Character.ai:

For Parents:

* Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date on the latest safety features and recommendations.

* Establish Clear Boundaries: Set time limits and usage guidelines.

* Encourage Critical Thinking: Help your teen develop critical thinking skills to evaluate the information they receive from AI chatbots.

* Monitor Activity (Respectfully): While respecting your teen’s privacy, periodically check in on their activity and conversations.

For Teens:

* Protect Your Personal Information: Never share personal information such as your name, address, or school.

* be Wary of Strangers: Be cautious about interacting with characters you don’t know.

* Report Inappropriate Content: If you encounter anything uncomfortable or inappropriate, report it immediately.

* Trust Your Instincts: If somthing feels wrong, stop the conversation and tell a trusted adult.

Resources for Further information

* Character.ai Safety Guidelines: [https://character.ai/safety](https