This feature is rolling out globally. In the EU, age prediction will roll out in the coming weeks to account for regional requirements.
Summary
To help teens have an age-appropriate experience on ChatGPT, we use signals to predict whether an account may belong to someone under 18.
If we predict an account is under 18, we turn on extra safety settings.
If you are 18 or older, you can turn off those settings by verifying your age. In Italy, you must complete this verification within 60 days of being prompted, or certain features will be disabled.
Questions or requests? Email privacy@openai.com.
Why we do this
ChatGPT has extra safety settings for teens. These settings help keep the experience safe and age-appropriate. They can limit some sensitive content and certain kinds of interactions.
How age prediction works
To decide when to turn on these settings, ChatGPT uses an age prediction system. It looks at different signals linked to your account. For example, it may look at general topics you talk about or the times of day you use ChatGPT.
No system is perfect. Sometimes we may get it wrong. If you are 18 or older and you were put into the under-18 experience by mistake, you can verify your age.
What changes if we think you are under 18
If our systems think you are under 18, ChatGPT turns on extra safety settings. You can still use ChatGPT to learn, create, and ask questions. We will not show ads in your account. Some topics are handled more carefully to help reduce sensitive content, such as:
Graphic violence or gore
Viral challenges that could push risky or harmful behavior
Sexual, romantic, or violent role play
Content that promotes extreme beauty standards, unhealthy dieting, or body shaming
Verify your age (18+)
If you are logged in, you can start age verification here: https://chatgpt.com/verify_age If you are in Italy, you have 60 days from the time you are asked to verify before some features may be disabled.
To verify your age:
Sign in to ChatGPT on the web.
Open Settings.
Under Account, check whether you are in under-18 mode, then choose Verify age.
Follow the steps with Persona.
Persona is a trusted third-party company we use to help verify age.
What you may be asked for
Depending on your country, Persona may ask for one or both of these:
Live selfie: Use your phone or webcam to take a real-time photo of your face.
Government ID: Upload a photo of a government-issued ID (for example, a driver’s license, passport, or state ID). Persona checks your date of birth and that your selfie matches your ID photo. Accepted IDs vary by country.
After you verify
If Persona confirms you are 18 or older, ChatGPT will remove the extra safety settings. This change may take a short time to fully apply.
Privacy and data use
Persona handles the verification.
Persona deletes your ID or selfie within 7 days after verification.
OpenAI does not receive your ID or selfie.
OpenAI only receives your date of birth or an age prediction. We store this securely and use it only as described in OpenAI’s Privacy Policy.
If you do not want OpenAI to predict your age, you can verify your age with Persona. After you verify, we will not run age prediction on your account.
You can also control whether your data is used to improve OpenAI’s models using the “Improve the model for everyone” setting in your ChatGPT account. Learn more in our Data Controls FAQ.
If you have questions or want to object to how we use data for age prediction, email privacy@openai.com.
FAQ
Why did ChatGPT say I am under 18?
ChatGPT uses signals linked to your account to predict age. These can include how and when your account is used and how long it has existed. These signals help us predict whether someone is likely under or over 18.
Do I have to verify my age to keep using ChatGPT?
No. You can keep using ChatGPT with the extra safety settings. You only need to verify if you are 18 or older and want those settings removed. If you are in Italy, you must verify within 60 days of the request to avoid losing access to certain features.
Does ChatGPT still predict my age if I already gave my date of birth when I created my account?
Yes. Age prediction is an extra safety check. It can turn on the under-18 experience when other signals suggest it may be needed.
What happens after I verify my age as 18 or older?
ChatGPT removes the extra safety settings. This may take a short time. OpenAI does not see what you share with Persona. Persona deletes it after verification. OpenAI only learns that you verified you’re 18 or older and information about your age (for example, a date of birth), not the ID itself.
What kind of ID do I need?
Persona accepts different government IDs depending on your country. You will see the options during verification. Common examples include:
Passport
Driver’s license or state/provincial ID
National ID card
Residency permit
Employment authorization card
Your ID must be:
Government-issued
Valid and easy to read
Showing your full name and date of birth
Showing a clear photo of your face
What information must be visible on my ID?
The photo of your ID must clearly show your full name, date of birth, and a photo of your face. You do not need to show ID numbers (like a national ID number or Social Security number). You may cover those before uploading.
What if I don’t have a camera for a live selfie?
If your computer has no camera, you can use another device. If you cannot take a selfie at all, you can use a government ID.
What happens if I’m under 18?
Nothing else is needed. You don’t need to verify your age. You can keep using ChatGPT with extra safety settings.
Does this block my ChatGPT account?
No. Your account stays active. The under-18 experience only limits some sensitive content and handles some topics with extra care.