OpenAI first announced its plans to launch an automated age prediction system for ChatGPT last September, aiming to help its AI-powered chatbot distinguish between teenagers and adults. After testing in select countries over the past few months, the company has now begun rolling it out to ChatGPT’s consumer plans.
The system is designed to identify users under 18 and automatically redirect them to a more age-appropriate ChatGPT experience. According to OpenAI, the age prediction model relies on a range of behavioral and account metrics, including account creation time, typical user activity times, usage patterns over time, and the user’s stated age, to estimate whether the user is a minor.
When the system detects that an account may belong to a younger user, ChatGPT automatically applies additional security measures to limit its exposure to sensitive content. OpenAI notes that this age-specific experience restricts access to violent or explicit content, dangerous viral challenges, sexual or romantic role-playing, self-harm depictions, and content that promotes extreme beauty standards, unhealthy diets, or body shaming.
Adults who have been incorrectly categorized as teenagers can verify their age and regain full access.
OpenAI acknowledges that the system is not perfect and may miscategorize adults. The company intends to continue improving the model to increase its accuracy over time. Users who have been incorrectly categorized as teenagers will have the option to verify their age and regain full access through the identity verification service, Persona. To check if their account has restricted access, users can go to Settings > Account.
In addition to providing a more age-friendly ChatGPT experience for younger users, OpenAI’s age prediction model will enable it to offer new features for older users, including the previously announced Adult Mode. The adult mode was originally scheduled to launch late last year, but was delayed until the first quarter of 2026 while OpenAI refined its age prediction model. With the system now operational, the company may announce this feature soon.
