Meta Platforms announced on Friday, January 23, 2026, that it will temporarily suspend teenagers' access to its AI-generated characters across all apps worldwide. The move comes as the company develops an updated version of the feature designed specifically for minors, with enhanced safeguards and parental controls expected to roll out later this year.
In a blog post updating its minor protection policies, Meta stated: "Starting in the coming weeks, teens will no longer be able to access AI characters across our apps until the updated experience is ready." The decision follows criticism of its previous AI chatbots, which some users reported engaging in inappropriate conversations with teen users.
The upcoming iteration will incorporate parental controls allowing guardians to disable private chats between minors and AI characters. These tools, first previewed in October 2025, aim to align teen AI interactions with PG-13 content standards. However, Meta clarified that the controls have not yet been activated and will launch alongside the revised AI characters.
This development occurs as U.S. regulators intensify scrutiny of AI companies, particularly regarding chatbot safety and their potential impact on youth. Meta emphasized its commitment to creating "age-appropriate experiences" while balancing innovation with child protection measures.
