# Parents shouldn't trust ChatGPT teen mode

> ChatGPT teen accounts fail to alert parents of suicide risks for up to a week.
- Title: Parents shouldn't trust ChatGPT teen mode · Straight Arrow
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: common sense media, chatgpt, openai, teen accounts, suicide alerts, parental notifications, ai safety, news, politics, world, Parents, shouldn't
- Source: Straight Arrow — https://san.com/cc/parents-shouldnt-be-asked-to-trust-them-just-how-safe-is-chatgpts-teen-mode
- Published: 2026-10-09T22:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: common sense media, chatgpt, openai, teen accounts, suicide alerts, parental notifications, ai safety, news, politics, world
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Common Sense Media found ChatGPT teen accounts don't notify parents of suicide or self-harm discussions until up to a week later.