Key Development
Meta is temporarily pausing global access for teens to its AI characters across all its applications. The company intends to develop and release an updated version of these AI characters.
Context and Legal Scrutiny
This action occurs shortly before a trial in New Mexico, where Meta faces accusations of inadequate protection for children against sexual exploitation on its platforms. Recent reports also indicate Meta's efforts to restrict discovery related to social media's impact on teen mental health.
Previous and Current Parental Control Measures
In October, Meta had announced upcoming parental controls for AI characters, allowing parents to monitor topics and block specific characters. These features were slated for release this year. However, the company has now decided to completely disable AI characters for teens while it updates the system.
Meta cited feedback from parents seeking more oversight and control over their teens' interactions with AI characters as a reason for these modifications. The company has also been implementing broader restrictions on teens' access to AI content. In October, Instagram introduced parental control features inspired by PG-13 ratings, limiting teen exposure to topics such as extreme violence, nudity, and graphic drug use.
Future Plans for AI Characters
Starting in the coming weeks, teens will be unable to access AI characters on Meta's platforms. This restriction applies to users who have provided a teen birthdate and individuals identified as teens by Meta's age prediction technology.
Upon their reintroduction, the new AI characters will incorporate built-in parental controls. Meta stated that these updated characters would offer age-appropriate responses and focus on subjects like education, sports, and hobbies.
Broader Regulatory Landscape
Social media companies are under significant regulatory pressure. In addition to the New Mexico lawsuit, Meta is facing another trial next week concerning allegations of contributing to social media addiction, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg expected to testify.
Other AI companies have also adjusted their services for teens in response to legal challenges. Character.AI, for instance, restricted open-ended chatbot conversations for users under 18 and plans to develop interactive stories for children. OpenAI has implemented new teen safety guidelines for ChatGPT, utilizing age prediction to apply content restrictions.