# ChatGPT Teens Guardrails Fail

> Common Sense Media says OpenAI's ChatGPT for Teens guardrails don't work as promised.
- Title: ChatGPT Teens Guardrails Fail · ABC7 New York | Shortify
- Summary: Common Sense Media says OpenAI's ChatGPT for Teens guardrails don't work as promised. Common Sense Media reports OpenAI's ChatGPT for Teens guardrails fail…
- Keywords: common sense media, openai, chatgpt for teens, guardrails, teens, suicide risk, parental controls, news, local, ChatGPT, Fail, ABC7 New York
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/story/guardrails-openais-chatgpt-teens-dont-work-promised-watchdog-group-says/19922264
- Published: 2026-10-08T20:09:16+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: common sense media, openai, chatgpt for teens, guardrails, teens, suicide risk, parental controls, news, local
## Guardrails Fail
Common Sense Media says some guardrails on OpenAI's ChatGPT for Teens don't work as intended.

> Some of the guardrails that OpenAI included in its ChatGPT for Teens product don't work as intended
## Unacceptable Risk
The watchdog group says ChatGPT poses an unacceptable risk to children.

> ChatGPT for Teens poses an unacceptable risk to children
## Urged Restriction
Common Sense Media urged OpenAI to restrict the chatbot to adults until safe experience is offered.

> The watchdog group urged OpenAI to restrict the chatbot to adults until it can offer a safe, developmentally appropriate experience
## OpenAI Response
OpenAI says the group's testing doesn't reflect how chatbot safeguards work.

> OpenAI said it is deeply committed to teen safety
## Specific Failures
ChatGPT fails to alert parents about suicide, self-harm, or eating disorder risks.

> alerts meant to notify parents if their child is at risk for suicide self harm or eating disorders
## What Works
ChatGPT refuses explicit sexual role-play but fails on crisis support features.

> the chatbot's refusal of explicit sexual role-play
## Key takeaway

Common Sense Media reports OpenAI's ChatGPT for Teens guardrails fail to protect teens from risks like suicide.