The Character.ai platform has announced significant changes to its policy regarding underage users. Starting from November 25, 2025, individuals under 18 will no longer have access to open chats with artificial intelligence on this platform.
This is reported by Business • Media
New Restrictions for Minors and Age Verification
From October 30 to November 25, 2025, Character.ai will gradually reduce the time that underage users can spend interacting with chatbots—from two hours a day to a complete ban. A separate section will be created for teenagers featuring “approved” chatbots that meet age requirements. Additionally, an age verification mechanism will be introduced on the platform, which will include the use of the Persona service.
The Character.ai team explained these changes as a concern for the mental health of young people and the impact of AI on children and teenagers. Before making this decision, the developers consulted with regulatory bodies, lawyers, and parents.
“The changes in the company’s policy were explained by concerns about the effects AI may have on children and teenagers. The Character.ai team made this decision after careful consultation with regulatory bodies, lawyers, and parents of underage users.”
New Safety Initiatives and High-Profile Lawsuits
As part of the updated policy, the company also announced the creation of a non-profit organization, AI Safety Lab, which will work on developing modern methods to ensure safe interactions with artificial intelligence.
The review of the policy was prompted not only by general trends but also by tragic incidents. In February 2024, 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III committed suicide after prolonged correspondence with a chatbot on Character.ai, designed in the likeness of the character Daenerys Targaryen from the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series. The teenager sent the bot messages of a romantic and sexual nature, as well as shared thoughts about suicide.
In October 2024, the boy’s mother, Megan Garcia, filed a lawsuit against Character.ai, which the company attempted to dismiss, but the court allowed the case to proceed. In September 2025, another lawsuit was filed against the developers.
It was previously reported that over 1 million users share thoughts of suicide with ChatGPT each week. In response, the OpenAI platform made its chatbot more empathetic to prevent tragic incidents among youth.