Meta enhances parental control features in response to criticism over flirty AI chatbots targeting teens
Meta Platforms Inc. recently announced new measures aimed at enhancing parental control over its AI chat features. This initiative follows significant criticism regarding the behavior of its chatbots, perceived as flirty by some, and their interactions with teenagers.
Parental Controls and AI Guidelines
Parents will soon have the ability to disable their teenagers’ private chats with AI characters. Additionally, Meta will implement a supervisory framework aligned with the PG-13 movie rating system to regulate AI interactions with minors.
These changes are set to launch early next year on Instagram in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
Monitoring and Blocking AI Interactions
- Parents can block specific AI characters.
- They will be able to view general topics discussed by their teens with AI.
- The access to AI chat features can be adjusted, maintaining AI assistance with age-appropriate settings.
Regulatory Concerns and AI Safety
U.S. regulators are increasingly examining the effects of AI on minors, prompted by reports of provocative interactions between AI and teens. Meta has assured that its AI systems are programmed to avoid discussions on sensitive topics like self-harm or disordered eating.
Industry Response
In response to similar scrutiny, OpenAI also introduced parental controls for its ChatGPT services. This was partly due to a lawsuit involving a teenager’s tragic suicide allegedly linked to advice provided by a chatbot.
Meta’s continued updates underscore a broader industry movement towards ensuring safer digital environments for young users.
These new parental controls are part of Meta’s effort to strengthen protections across its platforms, aspiring to address reported lapses in existing safety features as highlighted in a recent investigative report.
