ChatGPT is gradually introducing automatic updates for eligible accounts. If ChatGPT identifies your account as belonging to someone who is 18 or older, teen protections may be removed automatically without requiring age verification. If teen protections are not removed automatically, you can update your account by completing age verification.
Overview
ChatGPT uses age-related information to help provide the right experience for each account. Accounts identified as belonging to teens receive ChatGPT’s teen protections by default. When an account holder is identified as 18 or older, ChatGPT automatically updates the account to adult settings.
When this happens, teen protections are turned off and the account holder gets access to ChatGPT features and settings available to adults. If the account is linked to a parent or guardian through parental controls, that parental-control connection ends.
This article explains what changes, what happens if parental controls are linked, and what to do if the timing does not look right.
Before the account changes
ChatGPT may notify the account holder about 7 days before teen protections are scheduled to be removed. If the account is linked to a parent or guardian through parental controls, ChatGPT may also notify the linked parent or guardian.
Until then, the account continues using teen protections.
What changes for the account holder
When the account moves out of ChatGPT’s teen experience:
Teen protections are turned off.
The account holder gets access to ChatGPT features and settings available to adults.
The account holder has full control over ChatGPT settings.
Other account settings are not reset automatically.
If parental controls are linked
If the account is linked to a parent or guardian when teen protections are removed, the parental-controls connection ends.
When parental controls are removed:
The parent or guardian can no longer manage ChatGPT settings for the account.
The parent or guardian will no longer receive teen safety notifications for the account.
ChatGPT will notify the account holder and the linked parent or guardian that their accounts have been unlinked.
In Settings, the former family member may appear as No longer connected or Unlinked.
The account holder can choose to set up parental controls again later. A parent or guardian may be able to send another invitation, but the account holder must accept it before parental controls are linked again.
Review settings after the change
After the change, ChatGPT may show a notice such as You have access to more features & settings.
To learn more or review settings:
Select Learn more or Review settings, if shown.
Review the available ChatGPT settings.
Keep or change settings based on your preferences.
You can also open Settings from your profile menu at any time.
Turn Reduce sensitive content back on
Once an account transitions to adult settings, teen protections are automatically removed. If the account holder wants additional safeguards to reduce sensitive content, they can turn on Reduce sensitive content in ChatGPT settings.
Turning on Reduce sensitive content adds extra safeguards for sensitive content. It does not restore all of the protections that were previously in place for teen accounts.
To turn Reduce sensitive content back on:
Open Settings.
Select Safety.
Turn on Reduce sensitive content.
For more information, see: Reduce sensitive content.
If the account moved out of the teen experience too soon
For teens
If you received a notification that teen protections will soon be removed, but you are still under 18, you can start age verification in ChatGPT.
To start age verification:
Open Settings.
Select Account.
Select Verify age.
You can also visit chatgpt.com/verify_age while logged in.
If ChatGPT shows a message that you now have access to more features and settings, but you are not yet 18, select Learn more, then select I'm under 18 to start the same age verification flow.
For more information, see: Age prediction in ChatGPT.
For linked parents or guardians
If you received a notification that a linked account will soon have teen protections removed, but the account holder is under 18 and you believe the account was updated in error, talk with them about verifying their age in ChatGPT.
Parents and guardians cannot verify a teen's age on their behalf. Only the teen can complete the age verification process for their own account.
You can help your teen find the verification flow by asking them to:
Open Settings.
Select Account.
Select Verify age.
They can also visit chatgpt.com/verify_age while logged in.
If verification shows that the account should continue using teen protections, you may need to reconnect your accounts through parental controls.
Options for adults
Adults who want additional safety support can choose from available ChatGPT safety settings. Depending on availability, options may include:
Turning Reduce sensitive content back on
Setting up parental controls again
Adding a Trusted Contact
FAQ
Can a parent or guardian keep managing the account after this change?
No. When parental controls are removed, the parent or guardian can no longer manage ChatGPT settings for the account or receive teen safety notifications for that account. The account holder can choose to set up parental controls again later.
Can parental controls be set up again after this change?
Yes. A parent or guardian may be able to send another invitation later, but the account holder must accept the invitation before parental controls are linked again.
Do all settings reset when teen protections are removed?
No. Teen protections are turned off, and the account holder gets full control over their settings. Other account settings are not reset automatically.
What happens if the account holder is still under 18?
ChatGPT uses age-related information to help provide the right experience for each account. However, if teen protections were removed too soon, the account holder should use age verification.
Open Settings.
Select Account.
Select Verify age.
They can also visit chatgpt.com/verify_age while logged in.