Meta Pauses AI Characters for Teens
Meta is pausing teens’ access to its AI characters across all its apps. The company said it is not abandoning the feature but wants to release an updated version.
Parental Controls and Updates
In October, Meta previewed parental controls for AI characters. Parents could monitor topics, block certain characters, and fully turn off chats.
Now, the company is disabling AI character access for teens while it develops the new version. The updated characters will provide age-appropriate responses and focus on education, sports, and hobbies.
Safety and Regulatory Pressure
Meta heard from parents that they wanted more control over teens’ interactions with AI. The company is acting amid regulatory scrutiny and legal challenges.
A trial in New Mexico accuses Meta of failing to protect kids from sexual exploitation. Separately, a case on social media addiction is due to begin next week, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg expected to testify.
Other AI platforms have also updated teen features. Character.AI restricted open-ended chats for users under 18, and OpenAI now applies content limits based on predicted age.
Implementation
Meta said the pause will apply to anyone marked as a teen or suspected of being a teen through age prediction technology. The new AI characters with parental controls will roll out once ready.
