An illustration shows the introduction page of ChatGPT, an interactive AI chatbot model trained and developed by OpenAI, on its website in Beijing, China. On Monday, OpenAI rolled out new parental controls for ChatGPT to protect teenagers. File Photo by Wu Hao/EPA
Sept. 29 (UPI) -- OpenAI rolled out new parental controls Monday for ChatGPT to help families manage settings for their teens and receive alerts if their child is struggling emotionally.
The settings, specifically for users under the age of 18, can be customized once the teen accepts a parent's invitation and is connected to their account. The parent will be notified if the teen tries to unlink the accounts.
"These parental controls are a good starting point for parents in managing their teens ChatGPT use. Parental controls are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to keep teens safe online, though -- they work best when combined with ongoing conversations about responsible AI use, clear family rules about technology and active involvement in understanding what their teen is doing online," said Robbie Torney, senior director of AI Programs with Common Sense Media.
Parents can control their teen's ChatGPT use through a "simple control page," which allows them to set quiet hours or turn off the voice mode, according to OpenAI.
