Meta has said that it will pause teens from using AI characters across all of its apps worldwide while it builds a new, safer version. The company told reporters that the move comes after parents asked for more control and more insight into how teens interact with AI.
The pause will cover anyone who has told Meta that they are a teen and people who claim to be adults but whom the company suspects are teens using its age prediction tools. Meta said that teens will still be able to use the company AI assistant, but not the character chat experiences, until the update is ready. Reuters and the Associated Press also reported on the global action.
Teen Safety Focus
Meta previewed parental tools for AI characters last year. The company showed controls that let a parent block topics and turn off private chats between teens and AI characters. Meta said it will build those kinds of controls into the new generation of characters so parents can see the topics their teens chat about and choose what is allowed. The Verge covered the earlier preview, and the company plans in detail.
Policy and Trial
The timing of the pause comes as Meta faces legal pressure on how its apps affect young people. Wired reported that Meta is seeking to limit what evidence can be used in a New Mexico child safety trial. That case accuses social platforms of failing to protect minors from harm. Meta said the pause is part of its work to give parents greater control and to make the teen experience more age-appropriate.
Guidance for Parents
The pause will roll out in the coming weeks. Teens will no longer see AI characters until Meta finishes testing the updated experience. Parents who want to prepare can review current parental settings on Instagram and Facebook and watch for the arrival of the new controls. Meta has said that the new characters will avoid adult topics and focus on safe subjects such as education, hobbies, and sports.
For Teens, Creators
Teens who talk to AI characters will notice the change when it happens. Creators who build content around AI characters should expect a shift in how those characters operate for younger audiences. Meta said it will bring back a version made for teens only when it can prove that parents have clear options to manage what their children see and do.
A Careful Approach
Meta is not the only company to tighten teen access to chat technologies. Other firms have added age checks and topic limits after facing safety questions. There has been increased interest by regulators and courts regarding the impact of social and AI platforms on children. Meta added that it still has to work on the safety of teens and that the improved AI characters will be published as soon as the new controls and safeguards are in place.