Meta Previews New Parental Controls for its AI Experiences
Meta has revealed upcoming parental oversight tools for teenage interactions with AI characters across its platforms. These capabilities, set to launch next year, will allow parents to restrict access to specific characters and track discussion subjects.
In the months ahead, parents will gain the option to completely disable AI character conversations for their teenagers. However, this won't restrict access to Meta AI, the company's general-purpose artificial intelligence assistant, which is designed to engage only in content suitable for younger users.
Meta announced earlier this week that its AI experiences and content for teenagers will adhere to PG-13 film rating guidelines, steering clear of sensitive material including extreme violence, explicit content, and graphic substance abuse depictions.
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The company noted that teenagers currently have access to only a select group of characters that comply with content standards appropriate for their age group. Parents also have the ability to establish time restrictions for their teens' AI character interactions. Instagram revealed earlier this year that it employs artificial intelligence to detect users who attempt to bypass age restrictions through falsified age information.
Parents will have the flexibility to disable conversations with specific characters for more targeted oversight. Additionally, they will receive updates about the subjects their teenagers discuss with both AI characters and Meta AI.
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Meta plans to introduce these control features on Instagram in early 2024. The tools will initially be accessible in English across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri and Meta's chief AI officer Alexandr Wang, the upcoming features will allow parents to completely prevent their children from interacting with AI chatbots or restrict access to particular characters they find objectionable. Meta's own AI assistant will be exempt from these restrictions, as the company states it will continue to be accessible to provide useful information and learning opportunities while maintaining suitable safeguards for younger users.
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Recent weeks have seen several platforms, such as OpenAI, Meta, and YouTube, introduce features and restrictions aimed at protecting teenagers. These developments occur as worries increase regarding social media's effects on adolescent mental health, alongside legal action against AI companies accused of contributing to teenage suicides.