Meta adds adult controls for AI-teen communications

Government shutdown updates: House to be out of session next week

Israel-Gaza live updates: Crews search for bodies of Israeli hostages

16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff says

Government shutdown updates: House to be out of session next week

16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff says

Israel-Gaza live updates: Crews search for bodies of Israeli hostages

Thune says he offered Dems a vote on Obamacare subsidies to end shutdown

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ABC NewsLiveVideoShowsShopInterest Successfully AddedWe'll notify you here with news aboutTurn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? OffOnStream onMeta adds parental controls for AI-teen interactionsMeta is adding parental controls to kids’ interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots — including the ability to turn off one-on-one chats with AI characters altogetherByBARBARA ORTUTAY AP technology writerOctober 17, 2025, 6:11 AM1:02FILE - Meta Chief Product Officer Chris Cox speaks at LlamaCon 2025, an AI developer conference, in Menlo Park, Calif., April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)The Associated PressMeta is adding parental controls for kids' interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots — including the ability to turn off one-on-one chats with AI characters altogether — beginning early next year. But parents won't be able to turn off Meta's AI assistant, which Meta says will “will remain available to offer helpful information and educational opportunities, with default, age-appropriate protections in place to help keep teens safe.”Parents who don't want to turn off all chats with all AI characters will also be able to block specific chatbots. And Meta said Friday that parents will be able to get “insights” about what their kids are chatting about with AI characters — although they won't get access to the full chats. The changes come as the social media giant faces ongoing criticism over harms to children from its platforms. AI chatbots are also drawing scrutiny over their interactions with children that lawsuits claim have driven some to suicide. Even so, more than 70% of teens have used AI companions and half use them regularly, according to a recent study from Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that studies and advocates for using screens and digital media sensibly.Popular ReadsGovernment shutdown updates: House to be out of session next weekOct 17, 2:30 PMIsrael-Gaza live updates: Crews search for bodies of Israeli hostagesOct 18, 4:30 AM16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PMOn Tuesday, Meta announced that teen accounts on Instagram will be restricted to seeing PG-13 content by default and won’t be able to change their settings without a parent’s permission. This means kids using teen-specific accounts will see photos and videos on Instagram that are similar to what they would see in a PG-13 movie — no sex, drugs or dangerous stunts.Meta said the PG-13 restrictions will also apply to AI chats.Children's online advocacy groups, however, were skeptical.“From my perspective, these announcements are about two things. They’re about forestalling legislation that Meta doesn’t want to see, and they’re about reassuring parents who are understandably concerned about what’s happening on Instagram,” said Josh Golin, the executive director of the nonprofit Fairplay, after Meta's announcement Tuesday. Related TopicsMetaSponsored Content by TaboolaPopular ReadsGovernment shutdown updates: House to be out of session next weekOct 17, 2:30 PM16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PMIsrael-Gaza live updates: Crews search for bodies of Israeli hostagesOct 18, 4:30 AMThune says he offered Dems a vote on Obamacare subsidies to end shutdownOct 16, 3:04 PMABC News Live24/7 coverage of breaking news and live eventsABC News NetworkPrivacy PolicyYour US State Privacy RightsChildren's Online Privacy PolicyInterest-Based AdsAbout Nielsen MeasurementTerms of UseDo Not Sell or Share My Personal InformationContact Us © 2025 ABC News

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Meta adds parental controls for AI-teen interactionsMeta is adding parental controls to kids’ interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots — including the ability to turn off one-on-one chats with AI characters altogetherByBARBARA ORTUTAY AP technology writerOctober 17, 2025, 6:11 AM1:02FILE - Meta Chief Product Officer Chris Cox speaks at LlamaCon 2025, an AI developer conference, in Menlo Park, Calif., April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)The Associated PressMeta is adding parental controls for kids' interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots — including the ability to turn off one-on-one chats with AI characters altogether — beginning early next year. But parents won't be able to turn off Meta's AI assistant, which Meta says will “will remain available to offer helpful information and educational opportunities, with default, age-appropriate protections in place to help keep teens safe.”Parents who don't want to turn off all chats with all AI characters will also be able to block specific chatbots. And Meta said Friday that parents will be able to get “insights” about what their kids are chatting about with AI characters — although they won't get access to the full chats. The changes come as the social media giant faces ongoing criticism over harms to children from its platforms. AI chatbots are also drawing scrutiny over their interactions with children that lawsuits claim have driven some to suicide. Even so, more than 70% of teens have used AI companions and half use them regularly, according to a recent study from Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that studies and advocates for using screens and digital media sensibly.Popular ReadsGovernment shutdown updates: House to be out of session next weekOct 17, 2:30 PMIsrael-Gaza live updates: Crews search for bodies of Israeli hostagesOct 18, 4:30 AM16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PMOn Tuesday, Meta announced that teen accounts on Instagram will be restricted to seeing PG-13 content by default and won’t be able to change their settings without a parent’s permission. This means kids using teen-specific accounts will see photos and videos on Instagram that are similar to what they would see in a PG-13 movie — no sex, drugs or dangerous stunts.Meta said the PG-13 restrictions will also apply to AI chats.Children's online advocacy groups, however, were skeptical.“From my perspective, these announcements are about two things. They’re about forestalling legislation that Meta doesn’t want to see, and they’re about reassuring parents who are understandably concerned about what’s happening on Instagram,” said Josh Golin, the executive director of the nonprofit Fairplay, after Meta's announcement Tuesday. Related TopicsMetaSponsored Content by TaboolaPopular ReadsGovernment shutdown updates: House to be out of session next weekOct 17, 2:30 PM16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PMIsrael-Gaza live updates: Crews search for bodies of Israeli hostagesOct 18, 4:30 AMThune says he offered Dems a vote on Obamacare subsidies to end shutdownOct 16, 3:04 PMABC News Live24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

Meta is adding parental controls to kids’ interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots — including the ability to turn off one-on-one chats with AI characters altogether

ByBARBARA ORTUTAY AP technology writerOctober 17, 2025, 6:11 AM

1:02FILE - Meta Chief Product Officer Chris Cox speaks at LlamaCon 2025, an AI developer conference, in Menlo Park, Calif., April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)The Associated Press

FILE - Meta Chief Product Officer Chris Cox speaks at LlamaCon 2025, an AI developer conference, in Menlo Park, Calif., April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)The Associated Press

FILE - Meta Chief Product Officer Chris Cox speaks at LlamaCon 2025, an AI developer conference, in Menlo Park, Calif., April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Meta is adding parental controls for kids' interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots — including the ability to turn off one-on-one chats with AI characters altogether — beginning early next year. But parents won't be able to turn off Meta's AI assistant, which Meta says will “will remain available to offer helpful information and educational opportunities, with default, age-appropriate protections in place to help keep teens safe.”Parents who don't want to turn off all chats with all AI characters will also be able to block specific chatbots. And Meta said Friday that parents will be able to get “insights” about what their kids are chatting about with AI characters — although they won't get access to the full chats. The changes come as the social media giant faces ongoing criticism over harms to children from its platforms. AI chatbots are also drawing scrutiny over their interactions with children that lawsuits claim have driven some to suicide. Even so, more than 70% of teens have used AI companions and half use them regularly, according to a recent study from Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that studies and advocates for using screens and digital media sensibly.Popular ReadsGovernment shutdown updates: House to be out of session next weekOct 17, 2:30 PMIsrael-Gaza live updates: Crews search for bodies of Israeli hostagesOct 18, 4:30 AM16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PMOn Tuesday, Meta announced that teen accounts on Instagram will be restricted to seeing PG-13 content by default and won’t be able to change their settings without a parent’s permission. This means kids using teen-specific accounts will see photos and videos on Instagram that are similar to what they would see in a PG-13 movie — no sex, drugs or dangerous stunts.Meta said the PG-13 restrictions will also apply to AI chats.Children's online advocacy groups, however, were skeptical.“From my perspective, these announcements are about two things. They’re about forestalling legislation that Meta doesn’t want to see, and they’re about reassuring parents who are understandably concerned about what’s happening on Instagram,” said Josh Golin, the executive director of the nonprofit Fairplay, after Meta's announcement Tuesday.

But parents won't be able to turn off Meta's AI assistant, which Meta says will “will remain available to offer helpful information and educational opportunities, with default, age-appropriate protections in place to help keep teens safe.”

Parents who don't want to turn off all chats with all AI characters will also be able to block specific chatbots. And Meta said Friday that parents will be able to get “insights” about what their kids are chatting about with AI characters — although they won't get access to the full chats.

The changes come as the social media giant faces ongoing criticism over harms to children from its platforms. AI chatbots are also drawing scrutiny over their interactions with children that lawsuits claim have driven some to suicide.

Even so, more than 70% of teens have used AI companions and half use them regularly, according to a recent study from Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that studies and advocates for using screens and digital media sensibly.

Popular ReadsGovernment shutdown updates: House to be out of session next weekOct 17, 2:30 PMIsrael-Gaza live updates: Crews search for bodies of Israeli hostagesOct 18, 4:30 AM16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PM

Government shutdown updates: House to be out of session next weekOct 17, 2:30 PM

Government shutdown updates: House to be out of session next week

Israel-Gaza live updates: Crews search for bodies of Israeli hostagesOct 18, 4:30 AM

Israel-Gaza live updates: Crews search for bodies of Israeli hostages

16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PM

16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff says

On Tuesday, Meta announced that teen accounts on Instagram will be restricted to seeing PG-13 content by default and won’t be able to change their settings without a parent’s permission. This means kids using teen-specific accounts will see photos and videos on Instagram that are similar to what they would see in a PG-13 movie — no sex, drugs or dangerous stunts.

Meta said the PG-13 restrictions will also apply to AI chats.

Children's online advocacy groups, however, were skeptical.

“From my perspective, these announcements are about two things. They’re about forestalling legislation that Meta doesn’t want to see, and they’re about reassuring parents who are understandably concerned about what’s happening on Instagram,” said Josh Golin, the executive director of the nonprofit Fairplay, after Meta's announcement Tuesday.

Popular ReadsGovernment shutdown updates: House to be out of session next weekOct 17, 2:30 PM16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PMIsrael-Gaza live updates: Crews search for bodies of Israeli hostagesOct 18, 4:30 AMThune says he offered Dems a vote on Obamacare subsidies to end shutdownOct 16, 3:04 PMABC News Live24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

Government shutdown updates: House to be out of session next weekOct 17, 2:30 PM

Government shutdown updates: House to be out of session next week

16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff saysOct 11, 8:30 PM

16 dead after 'devastating' blast at Tennessee explosives plant, sheriff says

Israel-Gaza live updates: Crews search for bodies of Israeli hostagesOct 18, 4:30 AM

Israel-Gaza live updates: Crews search for bodies of Israeli hostages

Thune says he offered Dems a vote on Obamacare subsidies to end shutdownOct 16, 3:04 PM

Thune says he offered Dems a vote on Obamacare subsidies to end shutdown

ABC News Live24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events