Meta is set to introduce a new suite of parental controls for artificial intelligence chatbots, specifically designed to manage teens’ interactions with these AI characters across its platforms. These forthcoming features, slated for rollout early next year, address growing concerns regarding the safety and well-being of young users online, coming amid sustained criticism over the impact of social media on children and recent lawsuits alleging AI's role in teen suicides.

A primary feature of the new controls will empower parents with the ability to completely disable one-on-one chats between their teens and AI characters. For parents preferring more granular control, the option to block specific AI chatbots will also be available. However, Meta’s general-purpose AI assistant, Meta AI, will remain accessible to teens. The company assures that Meta AI will offer helpful information and educational opportunities with default, age-appropriate protections already in place, ensuring it discusses only content suitable for younger audiences. This Meta AI assistant cannot be turned off by parents.

In terms of transparency, Meta announced that parents will gain "insights" into the topics their children are discussing with both AI characters and Meta AI. It is important to note that this functionality will provide thematic oversight rather than full access to the complete chat transcripts. The initial rollout for these controls will commence early next year on platforms like Instagram and will be available in English across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia.

Further enhancing teen safety, Meta previously stated that content and AI experiences for teen accounts on Instagram would adhere to a PG-13 movie rating standard by default. This policy means teens will primarily encounter photos and videos free from sensitive topics such as sex, drugs, dangerous stunts, extreme violence, nudity, and graphic drug use. These PG-13 restrictions will also extend to interactions within AI chats. Parents will be required to provide permission for any changes to these default settings. Additionally, Meta will allow parents to set time limits for their teens' engagement with AI characters, building on earlier initiatives where Instagram uses AI to detect and prevent age falsification.

Despite these proactive measures, children’s online advocacy groups have expressed skepticism. Josh Golin, executive director of the nonprofit Fairplay, suggested that these announcements are primarily aimed at preempting undesirable legislation and reassuring worried parents. This perspective underscores the ongoing debate surrounding tech companies' responsibilities in safeguarding young users. The necessity for such controls is highlighted by recent data from Common Sense Media, which indicates that over 70% of teens have used AI companions, with half engaging with them on a regular basis.

Meta representatives, including Instagram head Adam Mosseri and newly appointed Meta AI head Alexandr Wang, underscored the company's commitment, stating, "We recognize parents already have a lot on their plates when it comes to navigating the internet safely with their teens, and we’re committed to providing them with helpful tools and resources that make things simpler for them, especially as they think about new technology like AI." This initiative aligns with a broader industry trend, as platforms like OpenAI and YouTube have also been releasing new tools and controls focused on enhancing teen safety.