OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in Berlin on September 25, 2025.
Florian Gärtner | Phototech | Getty Images
OpenAI announced Tuesday that it will deploy an age prediction model to its ChatGPT consumer plan to help the artificial intelligence company identify accounts belonging to users under 18.
OpenAI says the model relies on a combination of account-level and behavioral signals. These signals include usage patterns over time, how long an account has existed, the typical times a user is active, and a user’s stated age.
OpenAI has introduced several new safety features in recent months as it faces increased scrutiny over how it protects its users, especially minors.
AI startups and other tech companies are facing investigations from the FTC over how their AI chatbots may harm children and adolescents, and OpenAI has been named in several wrongful death lawsuits, including one centered on the suicide of a teenage boy.
OpenAI says that when OpenAI’s age prediction model suggests that a user is under 18, ChatGPT automatically applies protections designed to reduce exposure to “sensitive content” such as depictions of self-harm.
If a user is incorrectly identified as being under 18, the user can restore full access using the identity verification service Persona.
Personas are also used by other technology companies. robloxis also facing pressure from lawmakers to better protect children on its platform.
OpenAI announced in August that it would release parental controls to help understand and shape how teens use ChatGPT. The following month, OpenAI announced it was rolling out parental controls and working on an age prediction system.
The company also convened a council of eight experts in October to provide insight into how AI could impact users’ mental health, emotions, and motivation.
OpenAI said Tuesday that it will continue to improve the accuracy of its age prediction models.
The model will be rolled out in the European Union in the coming weeks “taking into account local requirements”.
If you are having suicidal thoughts or are in distress, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988) for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
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