In light of growing concerns regarding children’s interactions with AI chatbots, OpenAI has introduced a new feature: Parental Controls for ChatGPT. This significant development allows parents to manage how their children use the AI, enhancing safety and oversight. In this article, we provide a comprehensive guide on how to activate Parental Controls in ChatGPT.
The Importance of Parental Controls in ChatGPT
ChatGPT, launched in 2022, quickly emerged as a powerful tool for productivity and learning. However, the rapid evolution and widespread utilization of AI technology have led to pressing questions about its safety, particularly for younger users. While ChatGPT has been accessible to children since its inception, experts are increasingly worried about the potential hazards associated with this unrestricted access.
The risks are not merely theoretical. A notable incident involved a family in California who filed a lawsuit alleging that the chatbot provided harmful advice to a teenager, tragically leading to suicidal ideation. As young users turn to ChatGPT for emotional support and guidance, it becomes critical to consider the possible repercussions of unsupervised interactions with such technologies.
Given these alarming realities, the introduction of Parental Controls is a timely and necessary measure to enhance user safety. OpenAI has recognized a gap in its safety mechanisms, noting that while they offer crisis helpline referrals, these resources may prove insufficient during lengthy conversations where the chatbot’s safety features can diminish.
Activating Parental Controls in ChatGPT
Parental Controls are readily available on both the web version of ChatGPT and its mobile applications. To get started, log in to ChatGPT with your parent account.
Locate your name in the lower right corner and select Settings from the dropdown menu.
In the settings menu, click on Parental Controls, followed by Add a family member.
For mobile app users, tap the hamburger icon in the upper right corner to access settings. Then, select your name and navigate to Settings → Parental Controls, followed by pressing the Add family member button.
Next, enter your child’s email address or phone number and click Send.
Instruct your child to check their email for a message from OpenAI and click the Accept request button. This action will direct them to a new web page prompting them to log in with their account and connect the accounts by clicking Accept in the subsequent pop-up.
Once the accounts are linked, you can find your child’s name listed under your account by navigating to Parental Controls.
Controlling Your Child’s Interactions with ChatGPT
With the child account successfully added, you can now tailor its settings to ensure a safer experience.
Click on the child account to explore various management options, which also extend to Sora, OpenAI’s new AI video generation application.
- Reduce Sensitive Content: This feature is enabled by default, minimizing exposure to graphic content, dangerous challenges, and inappropriate themes. We recommend keeping this on.
- Improve the Model for Everyone: By default, this option allows OpenAI to utilize your child’s data for training purposes. We advise you to disable it for privacy considerations.
- Reference Saved Memories: This function allows ChatGPT to recall past interactions. For emotional safety, we recommend disabling this feature.
- Voice Mode: This option permits voice interactions with ChatGPT, which can foster a false sense of personal connection. It’s advisable to keep this turned off.
- Image Generation: While seemingly harmless, this feature can lead to negative trends in image creation. It’s best to disable it to protect your child.
- Quiet Hours: Set specific times for ChatGPT use by toggling this feature on and selecting your preferred schedule.
- Personalized Feed: This ensures that Sora provides a video feed tailored to your child’s history of use.
- Continuous Feed: You can opt to turn off continuous scrolling to encourage healthy breaks during app usage.
- Messaging: Disabling this feature prohibits your child from receiving direct messages in the Sora app for safety reasons.
The settings you adjust will automatically synchronize with your child’s account, preventing any changes from their end.
Receiving Safety Notifications
One of the critical features of ChatGPT is the option to enable teen safety notifications for parents. Should the AI detect certain concerning topics during its interactions with your child, it will automatically alert you, along with providing resources for support.
To set this up, navigate to Parental Controls on your device, then click the Manage notifications option within the Safety notifications section.
Activate Teen safety notifications and ensure both Push and Email notifications are enabled. Depending on your region, SMS notifications may also be an option.
It’s essential to recognize that while parents can control the available features for ChatGPT, they will not have direct access to their child’s conversations, except in cases where serious safety concerns are flagged.
Unlinking Accounts from ChatGPT Parental Controls
If you find the need to unlink a child account, simply go to Parental Controls on your device.
Select the child’s account and click on Unlink accounts at the bottom of the screen.
As AI chatbots like ChatGPT integrate more fully into our daily lives, users increasingly prefer phrases like “ChatGPT it” over “Google it.” To ensure that this virtual assistant is always ready for you, consider setting ChatGPT as your primary search engine.
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