Why Character.AI Is Banning Minors from AI Character Chats
Character.AI is taking a bold step to protect younger users by banning minors from AI character chats. Starting today, users under 18 can only chat for two hours daily, with a complete ban coming November 25. This change addresses safety concerns while encouraging teens to use the platform’s teen-safe features instead.
How Character.AI Is Determining User Age
The company is rolling out an “age assurance model” that estimates a user’s age based on chat preferences and other data. Teens flagged by this system will be directed to the teen-safe chat. Adults mistakenly flagged can verify their age through Persona using government ID.
What Features Teens Can Still Access
After the ban, minors won’t lose all access—they can still revisit old chats and use non-chat features like creating characters, stories, and videos. However, CEO Karandeep Anand admits most users spend far more time chatting with AI characters than on these features.
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