Character.AI, a leading AI chatbot platform, announced plans to end open-ended chatbot access for users under 18 by November 25. The company will begin by limiting teen users to two hours of daily interaction, then gradually reduce that time until access stops entirely.
To implement the restriction, Character.AI will deploy an in-house age-verification tool alongside third-party services such as Persona. In cases where these methods prove insufficient, the platform may resort to facial recognition and government-issued ID checks to confirm users are over 18.
The decision stems from input by regulators and parents, aligning with ongoing initiatives to mitigate mental health risks associated with AI interactions among teenagers. Character.AI has previously introduced safeguards including a parental insights tool for monitoring usage, filtered character options, restrictions on romantic conversations, and notifications for time spent on the platform. These steps contributed to a decline in the under-18 user base.
Moving forward, Character.AI intends to launch a dedicated experience for teens, enabling them to produce videos, stories, and streams featuring characters. This new feature will exclude open-ended chatting capabilities.
