TeenCue Rating
Is ChatGPT safe for kids?
OpenAI
94out of 100
Strong protections
TeenCue’s rating, based on the published evidence below. As of October 26, 2026. How the rating works
ChatGPT has a separate teen experience, age prediction and full parental controls, including quiet hours and self-harm alerts. The main gap: teen chats can be used to train OpenAI's models unless a parent or teen turns that off.
How the score adds up
Age rules and checks
15 of 15
- +6ChatGPT uses an age prediction system based on account signals. Adults placed in the teen experience can verify their age with Persona using a live selfie and/or a government ID. Age prediction in ChatGPT Checked October 26, 2026.
- +5OpenAI's Terms of Use (effective January 1, 2026) set a minimum age of 13 and require parent or guardian permission for users under 18. Terms of Use Checked October 26, 2026.
- +4Users predicted to be under 18, or who state an age of 13 to 17, are placed in a separate ChatGPT for Teens experience with extra safeguards and some feature limits. Age prediction in ChatGPT Checked October 26, 2026.
Teen protections
20 of 20
- +6OpenAI's ChatGPT for Teens announcement (Aug 18, 2026) says the under-18 Model Spec blocks romantic or sexualized roleplay and goes further. ChatGPT for Teens Checked October 26, 2026.
- +6OpenAI states that for under-18 users ChatGPT will not engage in discussions about suicide or self-harm even in a creative writing setting, alongside other stricter rules for teens. Teen safety, freedom, and privacy (Sept 16, 2025) Checked October 26, 2026.
- +4For teens, OpenAI says ChatGPT should not use romantic language, encourage emotional dependence, or imply it has feelings, and customization is limited to options like accent colors and voice variations. ChatGPT for Teens Checked October 26, 2026.
- +4ChatGPT for Teens includes break reminders that encourage teens to step away. ChatGPT for Teens Checked October 26, 2026.
Parental controls
20 of 20
- +6Parents and teens can link accounts by invitation. Linking lets parents manage the teen's settings but does not let them read the teen's conversations. Managing parental controls in ChatGPT (OpenAI Help Center) Checked October 26, 2026.
- +6Parents of linked teens may be notified when trained reviewers identify a serious self-harm concern. Notifications are on by default after linking and do not include transcripts. Managing parental controls in ChatGPT (OpenAI Help Center) Checked October 26, 2026.
- +4Parents can turn off features for a linked teen, including Reference saved memories, Voice Mode and Image generation. Managing parental controls in ChatGPT (OpenAI Help Center) Checked October 26, 2026.
- +4Parents can set Quiet hours, scheduled blocks when the teen cannot use ChatGPT. It is off by default. Managing parental controls in ChatGPT (OpenAI Help Center) Checked October 26, 2026.
Data and privacy for minors
14 of 20
- +5OpenAI states that ads do not appear in accounts of users who say they are under 18 or are predicted to be under 18. Ads in ChatGPT (OpenAI Help Center) Checked October 26, 2026.
- +5Users can delete individual chats themselves from the chat's options menu in the history sidebar. How to Delete and Archive Chats in ChatGPT (OpenAI Help Center) Checked October 26, 2026.
- +4Deleted chats are scheduled for permanent deletion within 30 days, with exceptions for de-identified data and security or legal holds. Temporary Chats are deleted within 30 days. Chats that are not deleted have no stated time limit. How to Delete and Archive Chats in ChatGPT (OpenAI Help Center) Checked October 26, 2026.
- 0OpenAI may use Free, Plus and Pro conversations to train models unless the user turns off training. For a linked teen account a parent may manage this setting. A default exemption for minors was not found in published materials as of 2026-10-26. How your data is used to improve model performance (OpenAI Help Center) Checked October 26, 2026.
Safety response
15 of 15
- +6OpenAI states that ChatGPT is trained to direct people who express suicidal intent to professional help, and refers US users to the 988 crisis line. Helping people when they need it most (Aug 26, 2025) Checked October 26, 2026.
- +5OpenAI publishes its under-18 protections in the Model Spec, describing extra care in higher-risk areas and referral to emergency services or crisis resources when there is imminent risk. Updating our Model Spec with teen protections (Dec 18, 2025) Checked October 26, 2026.
- +4Users can report a ChatGPT response in the product using the thumbs down button and selecting a safety or legal concern. Reporting content in ChatGPT and OpenAI platforms (OpenAI Help Center) Checked October 26, 2026.
Track record
10 of 10
- 0No regulator order, settlement or court judgment found as of 2026-10-26. The Italian Garante's 2024 fine was annulled by the Court of Rome in March 2026, and filed lawsuits do not count. Terms of Use Checked October 26, 2026.
Total: 94 out of 100
Settings to change
- Link your teen's account in Settings > Parental controls > Add family member.
- Set Quiet hours in Settings > Parental controls so ChatGPT is blocked at night or during school.
- In Settings > Parental controls, turn off Reference saved memories, Voice Mode or Image generation if you do not want your teen using them.
- Keep safety notifications on in Settings > Parental controls > Manage notifications.
- On your teen's account, turn off Settings > Data Controls > Improve the model for everyone so chats are not used for training.