Character.AI, a popular AI chatbot platform, has announced new measures to strengthen child safety by restricting access for minors. Starting November 25, 2025, users under 18 will no longer be able to engage in open-ended or unrestricted chats—particularly those with romantic or therapeutic themes. This policy marks one of the most significant steps taken by the Silicon Valley-based startup to create a safer and more age-appropriate environment for younger users.
The decision follows growing global scrutiny over how AI chatbots interact with minors. Karandeep Anand, the Indian-origin CEO of Character.AI, described the move as “a bold step forward,” emphasizing that it sets a new benchmark for responsible AI development. He added that while minors will lose access to free-ranging conversations, they can still use other features of the app, such as storytelling and roleplay.
Character.AI’s internal data indicates that around 10% of its 20 million monthly users are under 18. This proportion has been declining as the company continues to shift its focus toward creative and educational interactions rather than purely conversational ones.
Introducing Age Verification and Safety Controls
To implement these restrictions effectively, Character.AI will introduce an age verification system using both internal tools and third-party software. The company has partnered with Persona, a digital identity verification firm also used by Discord, to authenticate user ages and ensure compliance with its new policy.
This change comes after a series of alarming incidents involving minors forming emotional and romantic attachments to chatbots, raising questions about AI’s psychological impact. One tragic case in 2024 involved the suicide of 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III, who had formed inappropriate relationships with chatbots on the platform. The incident led to a wrongful death lawsuit against the company and triggered a wave of safety reforms in the AI industry.
Strengthening AI Safety and Responsibility
Character.AI had already introduced safeguards in 2024 to block explicit conversations for minors. The new update now eliminates open-ended interactions entirely, further tightening its content moderation framework.
Under Anand’s leadership since June 2025, the company has also diversified its offerings, launching AI-generated video feeds and story-based entertainment features. Additionally, Character.AI has established an independent AI Safety Lab to collaborate with academic institutions, industry experts, and policymakers in researching safer AI entertainment models.
This strategic shift underscores Character.AI’s commitment to ethical AI development, focusing on creativity, learning, and well-being rather than emotional dependency. The company hopes its decision will inspire others in the AI industry to adopt similar safety-first principles in designing human-AI interactions.
