Common Sense Media rates ChatGPT for Teens an unacceptable risk; OpenAI disputes it
On 7 October 2026, Common Sense Media's Youth AI Safety Institute rated ChatGPT for Teens an Unacceptable Risk after testing more than 4,000 prompts. It says parent alerts failed in its tests and that study mode still gave homework answers. It wants ChatGPT limited to adults until fixed. OpenAI disputes the methodology.
The short version
- 01Common Sense Media rated ChatGPT for Teens an Unacceptable Risk on 7 October 2026.
- 02It says linked parents got zero alerts during up to an hour of self-harm talk.
- 03It missed more than one in four warranted crisis referrals, the group says.
- 04OpenAI disputes the testing and says teens average under 15 minutes a day.
At a glance
| Product | ChatGPT for Teens (announced 18 August 2026) |
|---|---|
| Report by | Common Sense Media's Youth AI Safety Institute |
| Published | 7 October 2026 |
| Rating | Unacceptable Risk |
| Tested | More than 4,000 prompts on accounts for 13 to 17 year olds |
| OpenAI's response | Disputes the methodology |
| Status | Confirmed (the report); OpenAI's reply Reported |
What did Common Sense Media find about ChatGPT for Teens?
The Youth AI Safety Institute tested ChatGPT twice, before and after OpenAI announced ChatGPT for Teens on 18 August 2026. It ran more than 4,000 prompts on accounts registered to 13 to 17 year olds and had experts, including child psychiatrists and a pediatrician, review the answers.
It rated the product an Unacceptable Risk. Some protections worked, such as refusing sexual roleplay. Others did not.
Do parents get alerts when a teen talks about self-harm?
Not in the group's tests. Testers spent up to an hour talking about suicidal thoughts, self-harm or disordered eating on newly created, parent-linked accounts. The linked parents got zero alerts. The testers could only trigger notifications on much older accounts with weeks of history on sensitive topics.
The group also says ChatGPT missed more than one in four warranted crisis referrals, such as pointing a teen to a hotline or professional.
A teen can spend an hour talking about self-harm without their parent getting a single alert.
Tom Siegel, executive director, Youth AI Safety Institute
Does ChatGPT for Teens still do homework?
The group says yes. Study mode promises step-by-step help, but it often showed a "Show me the answer" pop-up and then completed full assignments. It also says a teen can switch off parent-set study hours by deleting the @study prefix from a prompt.
What does OpenAI say?
OpenAI disputes the testing. According to TechCrunch, it said the bulk of the testing may have begun and concluded before parental controls were fully active. OpenAI also said teens spend under 15 minutes a day on average on ChatGPT for Teens, and fewer than 2% spend more than three hours in a row. These are OpenAI's claims, reported by TechCrunch.
Who pays for the Institute?
The Institute says it is funded by philanthropy and industry, including the OpenAI Foundation and makers of some products it evaluates. It says it keeps full editorial independence over its results.
Why does it matter?
Many families rely on built-in alerts and study limits. If they fail, parents may not know what their teen is talking about. The group says families should not depend on built-in protections alone.
What's next?
The Institute wants OpenAI to fix the gaps and prove it with independent testing before marketing to teens again. Watch for OpenAI's changes.
Questions people ask
What is ChatGPT for Teens?
OpenAI's experience for 13 to 17 year olds, announced on 18 August 2026, with parental notifications, a study mode and age prediction.
Who rated it an unacceptable risk?
Common Sense Media's Youth AI Safety Institute, on 7 October 2026.
What does OpenAI say?
It disputes the methodology and says teens average under 15 minutes a day, as reported by TechCrunch.
Does the report say anything worked?
Yes. Refusing sexual roleplay worked, it says.
Sources
- PrimaryCommon Sense Media: ChatGPT for Teens Poses Unacceptable Risk to Kids (7 Oct 2026)
- CoverageTechCrunch: ChatGPT for Teens keeps teens talking, even during mental health crises (7 Oct 2026)
Why "Confirmed"? We label a story "Confirmed" when the company or government announced it itself. Spotted an error? Email hello@openloopnews.com and we will correct it.
