In May of 2024, while I was combing through OpenAI's "Model Spec" laying out how ChatGPT should act, one comment buried in the document struck me as peculiar. It said OpenAI was "exploring" how to let adult ChatGPT users generate content with mature themes such as "erotica, extreme gore, slurs, and unsolicited profanity." Seems like the exploration phase is over.
OpenAI says it is introducing parental controls to ChatGPT that will help improve the safety of teenagers using its AI chatbot. The new protections are designed to help ChatGPT identify when a teenager chatting with it might be thinking about harming themselves or otherwise be in distress. OpenAI is adding the features after facing criticism and a high-profile lawsuit alleging its chatbot contributed to a teenager's death.
“Facebook wasn't just an app for me. It was where I kept years of memories, connected with family and friends, followed pages that brought me joy, and found support communities for mental health.”
