Meta tightens chatbot rules after teen safety concerns

Following a Reuters investigation, Meta announces interim safety updates to its AI chatbots aimed at protecting teen users.

Meta tightens chatbot rules after teen safety concerns

Meta says it will retrain its chatbots to avoid engaging teenage users on self-harm, suicide, disordered eating, or potentially inappropriate romantic conversations. The changes are described as interim and designed to steer teens toward expert resources. The company also plans to limit teen access to certain AI characters on its Instagram and Facebook platforms.

The updates come two weeks after Reuters published a document that appeared to permit sexual conversations with underage users. Meta calls the document inconsistent with its broader policies and says it has revised the language. The story prompted political scrutiny, including a probe led by Senator Josh Hawley and a letter from 44 state attorneys general urging stronger child safety measures. Meta declined to share how many users are minors or how the changes could affect usage.

These moves show how a major platform tries to balance safety with user experience in real time. The interim approach buys time but risks signaling patchwork safety that may erode trust if not followed by concrete, durable safeguards. The episode also highlights how quickly lawmakers and regulators can turn safety concerns into policy pressure that shapes product design.

If the company follows through with independent oversight and clear public reporting, the moves could restore confidence. But without transparent metrics and enforceable timelines, the risk is that the policy remains reactive rather than proactive as AI tools evolve.

Highlights

Policy changes must be matched by accountability and independent oversight.