Meta has paused access to AI characters for teens across all of its apps worldwide as it works on an updated version designed with stronger safety and parental controls. The decision comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny, including an upcoming trial in New Mexico examining whether the company failed to adequately protect minors on its platforms.
Meta said the pause applies to users who have identified themselves as teens, as well as accounts flagged as underage through age-prediction systems. The company had previously previewed parental controls that would allow guardians to monitor topics and disable AI character interactions entirely, but opted to temporarily remove access while rebuilding the experience. When relaunched, the new AI characters will provide age-appropriate responses and focus on limited themes such as education, sports, and hobbies. The move aligns with broader industry efforts to tighten safeguards around teen interactions with generative AI.
