Meta Platforms is temporarily blocking teenagers from using its AI‑driven “character” chatbots across Instagram, WhatsApp and other Meta apps. The suspension stays in place until a redesigned version with built‑in parental controls and stricter content safeguards is ready, ensuring a safer, age‑appropriate experience for younger users.
Scope of the Suspension
The block applies to any account identified as belonging to a minor and to users whose age is suspected to be under 18 based on Meta’s prediction technology. The general Meta AI assistant remains available to teens, while the richer character‑based interactions are paused.
New Parental‑Control Design
PG‑13 Content Framework
Meta’s upcoming version will follow a PG‑13 rating system, limiting conversations to age‑appropriate topics and preventing flirty or unsuitable content.
Parent‑Managed Settings
Parents will be able to enable or disable AI characters for their children and restrict private chats between teens and the bots, giving full control over the feature’s availability.
Regulatory and Safety Context
Heightened scrutiny of AI tools for minors has prompted Meta to act proactively. By pausing the feature, the company aims to address regulator concerns about exposure to inappropriate content and potential mental‑health impacts.
Impact on Users and Developers
Teen users will notice the absence of personality‑driven AI characters, though the standard AI assistant continues to function. Marketers and developers relying on these characters must pause or adjust campaigns targeting the teen demographic until the new, compliant version launches.
Future Outlook
Meta plans to release the updated teen‑focused characters once the parental‑control system and PG‑13 safeguards are fully tested. Successful implementation could set a new industry benchmark for responsible AI deployment on social‑media platforms.
