New York, 17 Oct

Meta will introduce parental controls for children’s interactions with AI chatbots starting early next year, including the ability to disable one-on-one chats with AI characters. Parents will also be able to block specific chatbots while still allowing others.

However, Meta’s AI assistant will remain active to provide helpful information and educational opportunities, with default age-appropriate protections to safeguard teens. Parents will receiveinsights into their children’s AI conversations, though they will not see full chats.

The announcement comes amid criticism of Meta over potential harms to children, with lawsuits claiming AI interactions have led to serious mental health risks, including suicide. Research by Common Sense Media shows that more than 70 per cent of teens have used AI companions, with half using them regularly.

Earlier, Meta said teen Instagram accounts will default to PG-13 content, restricting exposure to sex, drugs, and dangerous stunts. These restrictions will also apply to AI chats.

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

“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. On Tuesday, after the announcement.