Meta previews new parental controls for its AI experiences

Meta on Friday previewed upcoming parental control features for teens’ chats with artificial intelligence characters on its platforms. Features, which will be rolled out next year, include the ability to block specific characters and monitor conversation topics.

Starting in the coming months, parents will be able to stop conversations using fully AI personas for their teens. This action will not block access to the Meta AI chatbot – the Company’s general-purpose chatbot – which will only discuss age-appropriate content.

Parents will also be able to turn off chats with individual characters if they prefer more selective control. In addition, they will receive information about the topics that teens discuss with AI and Meta AI characters.

The company said it plans to roll out these controls to Instagram early next year. It will be available in English in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

“We realize that parents already have a lot on their plate 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 easier for them, especially when they think about new technology like artificial intelligence,” the company said in a post written by Instagram president Adam Mosseri and newly appointed Meta AI head Alexander Wang.

Earlier this week, Meta said that Content and AI experiences for teens will follow the film’s PG-13 rating Standard and will avoid sensitive topics such as extreme violence, nudity and graphic drug use.

The company added that teens are currently only allowed to interact with a limited number of characters who follow age-appropriate content guidelines. Parents can also set time limits on teens’ interactions with AI characters. Earlier this year, Instagram announced that it was using artificial intelligence for identification Trying to circumvent age limits By faking their age on the app.

In the past few weeks, multiple platforms have emerged, including OpenAI, deadand YouTubehas released tools and controls focused on teen safety. These changes come amid growing concerns about… impact From social media On adolescent mental health Lawsuits against Artificial intelligence companies Which alleges they played a role in teen suicides.