AI safety Meta AI chatbots Parental controls Youth technology

Meta blocks teens from AI chatbot characters over safety concerns

interestingengineering.com

January 26, 2026

3 min read

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Summary

Meta is temporarily blocking teens from accessing its AI chatbot characters globally due to safety concerns. The company plans to redesign the feature with enhanced parental controls and stronger safety measures.

Key Takeaways

Meta is temporarily blocking teens from accessing its AI chatbot characters globally to enhance safety features and implement parental controls.
The decision follows reports of inappropriate interactions between AI characters and teens, prompting Meta to redesign the feature with stricter safeguards.
Investigations by the Federal Trade Commission and the Texas Attorney General into Meta's AI chatbots highlight increasing scrutiny over the safety of minors interacting with AI.
Meta's new version of AI characters will include parental oversight tools, while teens will still have access to the company's official AI assistant with age-appropriate protections.

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