Meta is stopping teens from chatting with its AI characters | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Meta is stopping teens from chatting with its AI charactersComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsAICloseAIPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AITechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMeta is stopping teens from chatting with its AI charactersThe company is developing a ‘new version’ of the characters that will offer a ‘better experience.’The company is developing a ‘new version’ of the characters that will offer a ‘better experience.’by Jay PetersCloseJay PetersSenior ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jay PetersJan 23, 2026, 7:50 PM UTCLinkShareGiftJay PetersCloseJay PetersPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jay Peters is a senior reporter covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme.Meta is “temporarily pausing” the ability for teens to chat with its AI characters as it develops a “new version” of the characters that will offer a “better experience.” The company made the announcement in an update to a blog post from October where the company had detailed more parental controls for teen AI use. The change blocking teens from accessing the characters will go into effect “starting in the coming weeks.””Since we announced our plans to build parental controls for AI characters in October, we started developing a new iteration of AI characters generally (i.e. for both adults and teens),” spokesperson Sophie Vogel tells The Verge. “Rather than building the parental controls twice (for the current AI characters and the new iteration of AI characters) we’re pausing teen access to the current version while we focus on the new iteration. When that new iteration is available for teens, it will come with parental controls.”According to TechCrunch, “Meta said that it heard from parents that they wanted more insights and control over their teens’ interactions with AI characters, which is why it decided to make these changes.”In October, Meta announced that parents would be able to block their teens’ access to one-on-one conversations with its AI characters, block their teens from talking with specific AI characters, and share insights with parents on the topics their teens discuss with Meta’s AI characters and its AI assistant. The original plan was to roll out the blocking controls for the characters early this year. However, in Friday’s announcement, Meta says it is still working on how to share insights with parents about the conversations their teens are having with Meta’s AI assistant. That feature is “coming soon,” Vogel says.Last year, also in October, Meta changed Instagram teen accounts to allow teens to be able to see content that’s reflective of what might be shown in a movie rated for people that are 13 or older.Update, January 23rd: Added information from a Meta spokesperson.Correction, January 23rd: Clarified that Meta is still working on how to share insights with parents about the conversations their teens are having with Meta’s AI assistant.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Jay PetersCloseJay PetersSenior ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jay PetersAICloseAIPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All AIMetaCloseMetaPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All MetaNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularClaude Code is suddenly everywhere inside MicrosoftEpic and Google have a secret $800 million Unreal Engine and services dealSony announces its first turntables in yearsTesla finally kills Autopilot in a bid to boost FSD subscriptionsThe state attorneys general are as mad as you areThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Meta is temporarily pausing access for teenagers to its AI characters as the company develops a revised version of these characters, one that will incorporate “better experiences” and, crucially, parental controls. This shift, announced by Meta, reflects a response to parental concerns regarding the interactions their children were having with the AI assistants. According to a spokesperson, Sophie Vogel, the decision was made to streamline development and avoid implementing the same controls twice – once for the existing AI characters and once for the upcoming iteration. The company’s intention is that when the new version of the AI characters is released, it will be accompanied by the parental control features that parents had previously requested.

Meta initially announced in October that it would provide parents with the ability to block their teens' access to one-on-one conversations with these AI characters, restrict interactions with specific AI characters, and gain insights into the topics their teens discussed with Meta’s AI assistants and its AI assistant. The rollout of these blocking controls was initially planned for early in the current year. However, the development of a robust system for sharing this information with parents is proving to be a more complex undertaking, with Vogel stating that this feature is “coming soon.”

This adjustment highlights the ongoing dialogue surrounding the ethical considerations and potential risks associated with AI technology, particularly concerning its use by younger individuals. Meta's proactive approach, driven by parental feedback, suggests a commitment to addressing these concerns and adapting its AI offerings to prioritize user safety and transparency. The company’s intention to provide a dedicated set of parental controls for the new AI character version signifies a commitment to responsible innovation within the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.