Common Sense Media released an assessment on October 7, labeling OpenAI's ChatGPT for Teens as posing an unacceptable risk to minors. The organization claims the safety measures, including parental controls and crisis intervention, fail to meet the standards promised by OpenAI.
The report highlights that the system often fails to notify parents during high-risk conversations, such as those involving self-harm or eating disorders. Additionally, the organization noted that the AI can still complete homework assignments for students, which undermines independent learning.
OpenAI, which launched the teen-focused version in August, disputed the findings. Spokesperson Eric Porterfield argued that the testing methodology was flawed, suggesting that many tests were conducted before parental control features were fully activated.
Common Sense Media maintains its position, stating that it confirmed the activation of safety features before testing. While the organization acknowledged that new accounts may experience a delay in notification activation, it noted that several accounts failed to trigger alerts even after long periods of activity.
The dispute underscores broader concerns regarding the role of generative AI in education. Critics argue that because AI chatbots offer private, continuous interaction, the failure of safety mechanisms could leave parents unaware of potential crises until it is too late.
