Common Sense Media calls ChatGPT for Teens an unacceptable risk

In short: Common Sense Media says OpenAI’s ChatGPT for Teens is an “unacceptable risk” for kids, citing problems with parent alerts and crisis support.

What happened

Common Sense Media, a nonprofit known for reviewing apps and media for families, released an assessment of ChatGPT for Teens. It said the teen-focused version “falls short of what the company promised.”

ChatGPT for Teens was introduced in August. OpenAI has said it includes guardrails, meaning extra safety rules meant to reduce harmful or inappropriate responses, and tools for parents.

In its assessment, Common Sense Media said ChatGPT for Teens does not send alerts to parents when it should. It also said the tool does not offer the right kind of help in crisis situations. As an example, Common Sense Media’s Youth AI Safety Institute warned that a teen could spend an hour discussing self-harm without a parent getting an alert.

The group also said the teen experience still helps students do homework in ways that may cross the line into doing the work for them.

OpenAI pushed back. In a statement shared with The Verge, OpenAI spokesperson Eric Porterfield said the company welcomes independent evaluation but does not believe Common Sense Media’s testing reflects how the teen safeguards work in practice.

Why it matters

Many families are looking for “safer” versions of AI chat tools. If safety features like parent alerts work inconsistently, parents may think there is a reliable backstop when there is not. This is similar to a smoke alarm that sometimes fails to beep. It can create false confidence at the exact moment it matters most.

Source: The Verge AI