From Straight Arrow · · 1m 40s
Parents shouldn't trust ChatGPT teen mode
ChatGPT teen accounts fail to alert parents of suicide risks for up to a week.
In brief
ChatGPT teen accounts fail to alert parents of suicide risks for up to a week. Common Sense Media found ChatGPT teen accounts don't notify parents of suicide or self-harm discussions until up to a week later. Originally reported by Straight Arrow.
ChatGPT teen accounts introduced
OpenAI launched ChatGPT accounts for teens in August after incidents involving young people hurting or killing themselves.
Teen accounts target 13-17 year olds
The accounts are intended for people between the age of 13 and 17 with parental notifications for mental health concerns and schoolwork restrictions.
Common Sense Media report
Common Sense Media found significant gaps in ChatGPT's teen safeguards and called for pausing the product for children.
Teen AI use is widespread
Nationally representative polling shows AI use is quite ubiquitous among U.S. teens and tweens with ChatGPT being the most common product.
Teen accounts lack suicide alerts
Common Sense Media found no evidence that linked parent accounts were notified when teen users discussed suicide, self-harm or eating disorders.
Protections delayed on shared accounts
When a child uses a parent's existing account, teen protections take up to a week to activate even as ChatGPT acknowledges it's talking to a minor.
OpenAI disputes findings
OpenAI told the BBC the testing does not accurately reflect how teen safeguards work in practice and did not respond to Straight Arrow's request for comment.
Parents shouldn't trust teen accounts
Until OpenAI proves protections work, parents shouldn't be asked to trust ChatGPT teen accounts.
Recommendations for AI safety
Common Sense Media wants more laws and regulations around young people using AI products like credit card verification for Meta products.
What to remember
Common Sense Media found ChatGPT teen accounts don't notify parents of suicide or self-harm discussions until up to a week later.
