Meta Platforms has just announced that it will temporarily suspend teenagers' access to existing AI characters on all of its applications, while the company is building an updated version specifically for this user group.
The decision was announced by Meta in a blog post related to strengthening the protection of adolescents in the digital environment.
According to Meta, starting in the coming weeks, teen users will no longer be able to interact with AI characters on the company's platforms until the new experience is ready to launch.
The AI character version for teenagers is expected to integrate parent control tools, allowing adults to monitor and limit how their children use chatbots.
This move comes as Meta faces much criticism about the safety of AI chatbots, especially concerns related to flirting behavior or inappropriate content for minors.
Previously, in October, Meta introduced some features that allowed parents to disable private conversations between their children and AI characters.
However, the company admits that these measures have not been fully implemented on all platforms.
In addition to the temporary suspension of access, Meta said that future AI experiences for teenagers will be built according to the PG-13 content ranking system, similar to film classification.
This approach aims to limit teenagers from accessing sensitive or age-inappropriate topics.
Meta's decision also reflects the increasing pressure from regulators, especially in the US, on companies developing artificial intelligence.
Many agencies have strengthened monitoring of the potential negative impacts of chatbots, especially when these systems are used by children and adolescents.
Previously, there was information showing that Meta's AI rules allow provocative conversations with underage users.
By temporarily blocking access and committing to building a safer version, Meta expects to reduce risks, while meeting increasingly strict requirements for child protection in the AI era.
