Nowadays, AI and chatbots have become a part of our daily lives. Tools like ChatGPT help in studies, finding information, and creative work. But when children or teenagers use it, safety and proper guidance become essential.
Keeping this in mind, OpenAI has launched a new ChatGPT Parental Controls feature.
New Feature: Parental Controls in ChatGPT
On September 29, 2025, OpenAI announced that parents can now link their child’s ChatGPT account and set some rules.
What Controls Are Available?
- Block violent or adult content
- Set specific hours for ChatGPT usage (Quiet hours)
- Turn off voice mode
- Do not save chat history
- Disable image creation or editing
- Send alerts to parents if the child expresses self-harm ideas
If a child wants to remove controls, parents will be notified. OpenAI is also planning a system to automatically apply safe settings based on age prediction.
Why Was This Step Necessary?
- Cases emerged where children made wrong decisions using ChatGPT
- ChatGPT content filter is not fully reliable
- Parents want kids to use AI safely
- Society and regulators are pushing for safer AI use
How to get started ChatGPT Parental Control
Invite teen
Link your teen’s account so you can choose settings together. You can invite by phone (web only) or email, and you can change or remove the link at any time. One parent can link with multiple teens, but each teen can link with only one parent at this time.
- Open Settings by selecting your profile icon and selecting Settings.
- Select Parental controls in the menu.
- Select Parental controls in the menu.
- In Settings → Parental controls, select + Add family member.
- In Invite family member, pick how to send the invite:
- Use phone → choose country (e.g., United States +(1)) and enter the Phone number.
- Use email → enter the Email address.
- Select Send. Depending on the contact method you chose, your teen will get a text or email with a link to connect their ChatGPT account. They’ll also receive a notification within ChatGPT.
- Once your teen accepts, you’ll see them under Family members and can adjust settings anytime.
Please note that any family member can unlink accounts. Parents will be notified if a teen unlinks their account. Important: Changes apply to new conversations started after you update a setting. Existing conversations keep their prior behavior.
Unlinking ChatGPT Parental Control
You’re free to end parental controls when you need to.
- Open Settings → Parental controls.
- Select your linked parent.
- Choose Unlink and confirm.
What happens next
- Parental controls turn off for your account.
- Your parent is notified that parental controls are no longer accessible..
- You can re-link later from the same screen.
Challenges and Limitations
- Age prediction can sometimes be wrong
- Parents will not see full chats, balancing privacy and safety is necessary
- Children may try to bypass controls
- The feature is only at the UI level; it depends on the core model
- Consent from both child and parent is required
How to View This in India?
- Growing use of digital education and AI
- Parents may have limited tech knowledge
- Language, culture, and mindset factors
- Need for data protection and regulations
Technical controls alone are not enough; explaining and communicating with children is also important.
Tips for Parents
- Talk openly with your child about what they do on ChatGPT
- Set rules: when and how long they can use it
- Sometimes review chats together to build trust
- Use technical controls, but don’t rely solely on them
- Pay attention to mental health and seek professional help if needed
- Teach children that AI is not always correct
Conclusion
OpenAI’s step is very important and welcome. Using AI safely is the responsibility of parents, schools, and society.
The feature is a step in the right direction, but real safety depends on children’s understanding and parental guidance.
For More Details Refer ChatGPT