OpenAI to Allow Adult Content for Verified ChatGPT Users
OpenAI will implement a major policy shift in December, significantly relaxing ChatGPT restrictions to allow verified adult users access to previously banned content, including erotica. This controversial move is enabled by new age-verification systems and parental controls.
Key Changes
- Age-gating system using automatic age detection
- Verified adults gain access to mature content
- Enhanced parental controls for teen accounts
- Policy follows “treat adult users like adults” principle
Sam Altman’s Justification
CEO Sam Altman explained that initial restrictions were necessary to handle sensitive topics like mental health with caution. However, these blanket rules made ChatGPT “less enjoyable” for many users not facing acute issues.
With serious risks now mitigated and new safety tools developed, OpenAI will relax restrictions in most cases. The company signaled this change during DevDay 2025, indicating support for mature experiences would follow age verification implementation.
Enhanced Safety Measures
New parental controls allow linking parent and teen accounts, enabling function restrictions and distress notifications.
Regardless of age, ChatGPT will redirect highly distressing conversations to specialized AI models trained for responsible responses.
Legal Context
The announcement follows a lawsuit by parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine, who allege ChatGPT assisted their son in planning his suicide earlier this year.
