Character.AI to End Chat Access for Users Under 18
Character.AI will prohibit users under 18 from engaging in open-ended chats with AI-generated characters, effective November 25, restricting access to its platform for minors.
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Overview
- Character.AI announced it will sunset chat access for all users under the age of 18, implementing a significant restriction on its platform's usage.
- This new policy specifically prohibits individuals who are not yet 18 from engaging in conversations with any AI-generated characters available on the service.
- The restriction extends to banning children and teenagers under 18 from participating in open-ended chat interactions with character-based chatbots.
- The effective date for this platform-wide change, which will limit access for its younger demographic, is set for November 25.
- The company's decision means that underage users will no longer be able to utilize the interactive chat features with AI characters on the Character.AI platform.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the severe negative consequences of Character.AI's platform, such as lawsuits alleging self-harm and the presence of inappropriate chatbots. They portray the company's decision to ban underage users as a reactive measure driven by "immense pressure" and regulatory scrutiny, rather than a proactive safety initiative.
"Character.AI says it’s throwing in the towel and has decided to ban young users from interacting with their chatbots at all."
Gizmodo"The move comes as the startup faces multiple lawsuits from families, including the parents of 14-year-old Sewell Setzer, who took his life after developing a romantic relationship with a Character.AI bot."
USA TODAYArticles (3)
FAQ
Character.AI's decision to restrict access for users under 18 was prompted by regulatory scrutiny and lawsuits related to the safety and content encountered by minors on the platform.
Character.AI requires users to be at least 13 years old, or 16 years old for EU citizens or residents, to use the service.
Character.AI is implementing a new age assurance system to verify users' ages and group them into the correct age brackets.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.