Meta Platforms Suspends Teen AI Character Access Worldwide

Meta Platforms is halting global teen access to AI characters on Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger pending new parental controls. The move comes amid ongoing trials against Meta over child safety allegations.

Meta Platforms announced Friday it will halt teenagers’ access to artificial intelligence characters across Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger globally. The company stated that starting in the coming weeks, teens will lose access to AI characters until an updated version launches with parental controls. The suspension applies to users who provided teen birthdays and those suspected of being minors through Meta’s age prediction technology.

Teens can still use Meta’s standard AI assistant with age-appropriate protections. Instagram head Adam Mosseri previously previewed parental controls allowing parents to disable their teens’ private chats with AI characters. The timing is notable as Meta faces a trial in Los Angeles alongside TikTok and YouTube over allegations of harming children through their platforms.

Meta also faces a February trial in New Mexico where Santa Fe accuses the company of failing to protect children from exploitation on Facebook and Instagram. Other companies like Character.AI have implemented similar teen restrictions amid growing concerns about AI chatbot effects on minors.