ChatGPT: Activate parental controls – this is how it works

The article ChatGPT: Activate child protection – this is how it works first appeared in the online magazine BASIC thinking. With our newsletter UPDATE you can start the day well informed every morning.

ChatGPT Parental Control Artificial Intelligence OpenAI Parental Control

OpenAI has introduced a new parental protection feature for ChatGPT. In the future, parents will be able to specifically determine which content is visible to children and young people and how the chat can be used. The parental protection settings can be activated directly in the account.

ChatGPT can now be accessed in numerous ways – whether via the browser, via app or in direct chat via WhatsApp. This makes the AI ​​chatbot very easy to access, especially for the particularly young target group.

In total we already have in 2024 57 percent of young people ChatGPT used. The number has probably increased significantly by now.

But as with social networks, the unfiltered use of AI chatbots also poses risks for children and young people. For this reason, OpenAI now has Introduced parental protection features to ChatGPT.

That’s why ChatGPT needs parental controls

About the new functions of the Parental controls In the future, parents will be able to directly link their ChatGPT accounts with those of their children. This means that settings can then be made “for a safe, age-appropriate experience,” as stated in a statement from OpenAI.

“These parental controls are a good starting point for parents to guide their teens’ ChatGPT use,” explains Robbie Torney of the US nonprofit Common Sense Media. “Parental controls are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to protecting teens online – they work best when combined with ongoing conversations about responsible AI use, clear family rules around technology, and active involvement in understanding what your teen is doing online.”

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The NPO Common Sense Media, which evaluates media and technologies in the USA for suitability for children, was involved in the development of the new parental controls on ChatGPT. OpenAI also involved the attorneys general of California and Delaware.

This is how you can activate parental controls on ChatGPT

To activate parental controls on ChatGPT, parents or legal guardians must first send an invitation to their children. If this invitation is accepted, the accounts are connected.

This means that the child account automatically receives additional content protection measures after it is linked. Graphic content, extreme beauty ideals and viral challenges as well as sexual, romantic or violent role games are restricted. OpenAI wants to ensure “an age-appropriate user experience” at ChatGPT.

In addition, once linked, parents have access to and can manage the account settings. For example, rest periods or specific usage times can be set in the future.

Parents can also deactivate the audio mode and thus the voice control of ChatGPT. Image generation can also be switched off.

In the future, parents will also be able to deactivate model training for their accounts. This means that the conversations with children and young people are not used to improve the models behind ChatGPT.

Parent notifications

Additionally, parents can activate notifications in parental controls. This informs parents “if something may be seriously wrong,” says OpenAI. To achieve this, the group is working with mental health experts.

For this purpose, protection mechanisms have been added to ChatGPT that can identify potential threats. If the system fails, these are then checked again by a “team of specially trained people”. If in doubt, parents will then receive information via email, SMS or push notification on their phone.

According to OpenAI, data protection is still maintained. Only the information “that parents or emergency services need to protect the teen’s safety” would be shared.

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The article ChatGPT: Activate parental controls – this is how it works first appeared on BASIC thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard or subscribe to our newsletter UPDATE.


As a Tech Industry expert, I believe that activating parental controls on ChatGPT is a crucial step in ensuring a safe and appropriate online environment for children. By implementing parental controls, caregivers can limit access to certain topics, filter out sensitive content, and monitor conversations to prevent harmful interactions.

The process of activating parental controls on ChatGPT typically involves setting up an account as a parent or guardian, creating profiles for each child, and customizing the settings based on age appropriateness and personal preferences. This may include restricting certain keywords or topics, setting time limits for usage, and receiving notifications about potentially concerning conversations.

Overall, parental controls on ChatGPT empower caregivers to proactively protect their children from exposure to inappropriate content and interactions while still allowing them to enjoy the benefits of AI-driven chat platforms. It is important for parents to stay informed and involved in their children’s online activities to ensure a safe and positive digital experience.

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