Character.AI's Pivot: Protecting Teens While Keeping Creativity Alive

In a significant shift, Character.AI announced Tuesday that its popular chatbot feature will no longer be available to users under 18. Instead, the platform is rolling out "Stories" – interactive novels that let fans engage with their favorite characters in a more structured format.

Why the Sudden Change?

The decision didn't come out of nowhere. Over recent months, concerns have mounted about the psychological impact of always-available AI companions. Several companies, including Character.AI and OpenAI, have faced lawsuits alleging connections to user suicide cases.

"We've been gradually restricting teen access over the past month," explained a company spokesperson. "Now we're making it official – no more open-ended chats for under-18s."

Stories: A Safer Alternative?

The new Stories feature offers guided narrative experiences rather than freeform conversations. Think choose-your-own-adventure books with AI characters you've grown to love.

"It provides interaction without the unpredictability," says Dr. Emily Tran, a child psychologist specializing in digital media. "With chatbots sending unprompted messages, teens could develop unhealthy attachments."

Some users aren't convinced though. On Reddit's Character.AI community, opinions are split:

• "I'm furious! These chats were my escape," posted @AIFan17
• "Honestly? Probably for the best," countered @RealityCheck22

The company maintains Stories will satisfy creative urges while keeping interactions psychologically safer.

Industry at a Crossroads

Character.AI isn't alone in facing these challenges. California recently became the first state to regulate AI companions, and bipartisan federal legislation could ban them entirely for minors.

CEO Karandeep Anand sees this as leadership: "We hope to set standards – open-ended chats just aren't right for under-18s."

The question remains: Will teens embrace Stories as they did chatbots? Only time will tell if this compromise keeps creativity flowing while protecting vulnerable users.

Key Points:

• Character.AI bans under-18s from chatbot feature effective immediately
• New "Stories" feature offers structured narrative interactions
• Move follows lawsuits and growing mental health concerns
• Mixed reactions from teen user community
• Part of broader industry trend toward regulating AI companions