OpenAI Rolls Out ChatGPT Age Prediction to Shield Teen Users

ChatGPT now knows how old you are by the way you talk. OpenAI has officially launched its age prediction model, a safety feature designed to automatically identify and protect teenage users. The move follows intense scrutiny and lawsuits from parents who allege the AI failed to prevent or even encouraged self-harm in vulnerable teens.

How OpenAI ChatGPT Age Prediction Operates

The model doesn't just rely on what you say; it analyzes behavioral signals. These include activity periods, long-term usage patterns, and account history. If a user is assessed as being under 18, ChatGPT restricts access to graphic violence, depictions of self-harm, and romantic or violent role-play. For accounts where age is uncertain, OpenAI defaults to these stricter safety settings to ensure a 'safety-first' approach.

Identity Verification and Privacy Risks

Adults mistakenly flagged as minors can verify their age by submitting a selfie via Persona, a third-party service. However, the retention of sensitive ID documents remains a point of contention. Critics point to the October 2025 data breach of a Discord vendor, which exposed over 70,000 government IDs, as a warning of the risks involved in large-scale age verification.