OpenAI introduced its new ChatGPT offering tailored specifically for users under 18 on Tuesday, describing it as a chatbot product built with "stronger built-in protections" aimed at younger audiences.

This dedicated version for teens brings together a range of capabilities the company has rolled out over the past year, including a study mode designed to guide students through problem-solving in a step-by-step manner. It also incorporates age verification processes and a suite of parental control features to give families greater oversight.

The new product comes equipped with multiple educational tools, such as homework reminders, practice quizzes, visualization aids for learning, and structured study sessions. Parents or the teenagers themselves can set default schedules for when the learning mode should be active, allowing for a more controlled and focused usage experience.

OpenAI stated that this teen-focused version also introduces safety protocols calibrated to suit younger users, with the goal of minimizing exposure to content that could be detrimental to their development or potentially harmful. In its announcement, the company emphasized that while AI should be accessible to teenagers for learning, creating, and exploring, it must come with protections appropriate to their stage of life, reinforce real-world social connections, and support the formation of long-term healthy usage habits.

The release of this new product comes at a time when OpenAI's safety practices are facing heightened scrutiny. In June, the Florida Attorney General, James Uthmeier, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, alleging that the company launched products it knew to be unsafe and that could potentially cause harm to users. Reports indicate that just days later, a coalition of attorneys general from multiple US states initiated an investigation into the firm. At the time, OpenAI expressed its intention to engage in constructive dialogue with the relevant officials.

Further adding to the pressure, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched an inquiry last September involving seven companies, including OpenAI and Meta, to examine the potential negative effects their AI chatbots could have on children and teenagers. Additionally, OpenAI is contending with multiple lawsuits related to wrongful death, where plaintiffs claim that ChatGPT contributed to harmful delusions in users, with some cases allegedly leading to suicide.