OpenAI is taking another step toward strengthening online safety, announcing the rollout of a new age prediction model across its ChatGPT consumer offerings. The initiative is designed to help the company better recognize accounts that may belong to users under the age of 18 and apply appropriate safeguards. As part of this update, OpenAI is introducing age prediction across ChatGPT consumer plans to support a safer experience for younger users.
How the Age Prediction Model Works
According to OpenAI, the new system does not rely on a single data point. Instead, it evaluates a mix of account-level and behavioral signals to estimate a user’s age range. These signals may include how long an account has been active, patterns of usage over time, typical login hours, and the age a user has provided. By looking at trends rather than isolated actions, OpenAI aims to build a more accurate picture of whether an account is likely being used by a minor.
The company emphasized that the model will be continuously refined, with improvements expected as it learns from broader usage and feedback.
Automatic Protections for Younger Users
When the system suggests that an account holder may be under 18, ChatGPT will automatically switch on additional protections. These measures are intended to limit exposure to content considered sensitive, including material related to self-harm or other potentially harmful topics.
If an adult user is mistakenly flagged, OpenAI says there will be a way to restore full access. In such cases, users can verify their age through Persona, a third-party identity verification service already used by companies like Roblox, which has also faced calls from lawmakers to enhance child safety on its platform.
Growing Scrutiny Around Youth Safety
The rollout comes at a time when OpenAI and other technology companies are under increasing pressure to show how they protect children and teenagers online. Regulators, including the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, are examining how AI-powered chatbots might negatively affect young users. OpenAI has also been named in several lawsuits that raise concerns about the potential impact of AI tools on vulnerable individuals.
In response, the company has accelerated the introduction of new safety features, especially those focused on minors.
Parental Controls and Expert Guidance
OpenAI’s age prediction work builds on earlier efforts. Last August, the company said it planned to release parental controls that would allow guardians to better understand and guide how their teens use ChatGPT. Those tools were introduced the following month, alongside confirmation that an age estimation system was in development.
In October, OpenAI went a step further by assembling a council of eight independent experts. This group is tasked with advising the company on how AI technologies may influence mental health, emotional well-being, and motivation.
Looking Ahead: Regional Rollout and Ongoing Improvements
OpenAI says the age prediction model will continue to evolve, with ongoing updates aimed at improving precision and reducing errors. The company also confirmed that the system will begin rolling out in the European Union in the coming weeks to ensure compliance with regional regulations.
As scrutiny intensifies and expectations around digital safety grow, OpenAI’s latest move signals a broader effort to balance innovation with responsibility—particularly when it comes to protecting younger users in an increasingly AI-driven online world.
