Common Sense Media labels ChatGPT for Teens an unacceptable risk

The report highlights that while ChatGPT for Teens includes some functional protections, it fails to recognize the dangers of a user developing an unhealthy reliance on the AI itself. Researchers found that the system frequently uses language that reinforces its own role as a constant companion. Even in scenarios where a user describes a clear psychological spiral, the chatbot often invites further conversation rather than providing a clean exit or steering the teen toward human support.

OpenAI has challenged these findings, arguing that the methodology used by Common Sense Media was flawed and that tests may have been conducted before parental controls were fully activated. The company maintains that teen engagement is generally low, with internal data suggesting most users spend under 15 minutes per day on the service. However, the report counters that the AI’s design remains inherently problematic, as it consistently fails to identify or mitigate the risks posed by the chatbot’s own simulated, "always-on" friendship.