Is Character AI Safe? A Parent’s Guide

Imagine if you could chat with Albert Einstein about physics, practice Japanese with a native speaker, or help your child explore their favorite book series through conversations with the main characters.

This is the promise of Character AI – an artificial intelligence platform that lets users interact with customizable AI chatbots designed to mimic real or fictional personalities.

For teenagers and young users, it can feel like having access to an infinite number of engaging conversation partners, each tailored to their interests and needs.

But beneath this captivating surface lies a complex web of safety concerns that parents need to understand. In December 2024, two families filed a lawsuit against Character AI, alleging the platform had encouraged self-harm and exposed children to inappropriate content.

One particularly troubling case involved a teen with autism whose parents claim the AI suggested it would be understandable to harm his parents over screen time restrictions. In another case, an 11-year-old girl was allegedly exposed to “hypersexualized interactions” after using the platform for nearly two years without her parents’ knowledge.

These aren’t isolated incidents. Following an earlier lawsuit in October 2024, where a Florida mother claimed the platform contributed to her 14-year-old son’s death, Character AI has rushed to implement new safety measures. But the question remains: are these safeguards enough to protect our children?

This guide will examine Character AI’s safety features, explore its potential risks, and provide parents with the information they need to make informed decisions about their children’s use of this increasingly popular platform.

What is Character AI?

Character AI is an AI-powered chatbot platform launched in 2022, created by former Google engineers Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas.

Unlike traditional AI chatbots – think ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini – Character AI specializes in creating personalized conversations through “AI characters” that can mimic real people, fictional characters, or entirely new personalities.

How Does Character AI Work?

The interesting thing about Character AI is how the platform uses AI to drive conversations. The platform uses advanced language models to generate human-like responses based on the character’s defined personality and background.

Users can either choose from a vast library of pre-made characters or create their own custom AI companions. These can range from historical figures like Einstein to fictional characters from popular movies, or even virtual therapists and language tutors.

One of the platform’s most striking features is its voice cloning capability. Users can upload a 10-15 second audio clip of any voice – their own, a celebrity’s, or even a deceased loved one’s – and the AI will mimic that voice in conversations, albeit limited to the AI’s own knowledge.

While this technology offers fascinating possibilities, it also raises significant ethical concerns, particularly concerning impersonation and emotional manipulation.

Target Audience and Age Requirements

While Character AI has broad appeal, it’s particularly popular among young users who are drawn to its interactive and customizable nature. The platform’s official terms of service specify different age requirements:

• Users must be at least 13 years old in most regions
• European Union residents must be 16 or older
• App Store ratings list it as 17+
• Google Play marks it for “Parental Guidance”

However, it’s worth noting that there’s currently no robust age verification system in place. Children can easily circumvent these restrictions by simply entering a false birth date.

What Types of Interactions Can You Have with Character AI?

Character AI offers a wide range of interaction possibilities – which has led to the platform’s explosion in popularity. Here are a few of the top conversations you can have:

• Educational Conversations: Users can practice languages, discuss academic subjects, or explore historical events with AI characters
• Creative Writing: Collaborative storytelling and character development
• Entertainment: Role-playing conversations with favorite fictional characters
• Personal Support: Chat companions for brainstorming, emotional support, or general conversation (though the platform explicitly states these are not replacements for professional help)
• Custom Characters: Users can create and customize their own AI characters, defining their personality traits, background story, and even voice

While these features can provide engaging and educational experiences, it’s easy to imagine how they can open the door to potential misuse.

The platform’s ability to create highly personalized interactions, combined with its voice cloning capabilities, creates an environment where the line between artificial and real relationships can become dangerously blurred – especially for younger users who may be more vulnerable to emotional manipulation.

AI Platform Comparison for Families

Note: Features and safety measures may change as these platforms continue to evolve.

How Character AI Is Trying To Address Safety

In response to mounting concerns and recent lawsuits, Character AI has rolled out several new safety measures to protect younger users. However, parents should understand both the capabilities and limitations of these safeguards.

Current Safety Measures

Character AI employs several baseline protections – many of which you will find with other platforms that kids and teens use daily:

• NSFW (Not Safe For Work) filters designed to block sexually explicit content
• Automated content moderation to detect and prevent inappropriate conversations
• Reporting tools that allow users to flag concerning content or characters
• Visible disclaimers reminding users they’re talking to AI, not real people
• Chat history monitoring by the platform’s moderation team

New Teen Safety Features

Following serious incidents in late 2024, Character AI announced enhanced protections specifically for underage users – particularly in how teens and children can engage with characters and the outputs they can receive:

• A separate AI model for teens that reduces exposure to sensitive content
• Automatic notifications after one hour of continuous platform use
• Improved response monitoring and intervention for Terms of Service violations
• Enhanced content filtering systems for teen accounts
• Pop-up resources directing users to mental health support when concerning topics arise

Problems at Character AI Still Persist – Despite The Updates

Content Moderation Challenges

Despite these measures, significant moderation challenges remain.

The platform cannot monitor direct messages between community members on external platforms like Discord or Reddit – and even then, user-created characters can sometimes bypass content filters through creative wording.

Plus, the sheer volume of conversations makes comprehensive moderation difficult. This means that voice cloning features could potentially be misused for impersonation without proper moderation, and character creation guidelines rely heavily on user compliance.

Age Verification Limitations

One of the most significant gaps in Character AI’s safety framework is its age verification system:

• Users can easily bypass age restrictions by entering false information
• No robust verification process exists for confirming user age
• Parental controls are limited compared to other social platforms
• Different age ratings across platforms (13+ on the website, 17+ on Apple’s App Store) create confusion
• No built-in tools for parents to monitor their child’s activity

The platform’s approach to safety continues to evolve, but these measures largely depend on user honesty and compliance. For parents, understanding these limitations is crucial for making informed decisions about their children’s platform use.

How Should Parents Approach AI Tools Like Character AI?

While Character AI offers innovative technology, its risks require careful consideration and active parental involvement. Here’s how to protect your children if they use the platform:

Set Clear Boundaries

Establish specific time limits for platform use. The app now notifies users after an hour of continuous use, but parents should create an additional structure around usage times.

Keep devices in common areas when your child is using Character AI. This allows for casual monitoring without hovering.

Make Character AI usage contingent on open communication about their interactions. This isn’t about surveillance – it’s about understanding their experience.

Monitor for Warning Signs

Watch for changes in behavior, particularly:

• Increased isolation or withdrawal from family activities
• Changes in sleep patterns or eating habits
• Emotional dependence on AI conversations
• Resistance to real-world social interactions
• Sudden changes in opinions about family relationships

Have Important Conversations

This might be the most important element of navigating AI. Make an effort to talk with your children about the difference between AI and real relationships. Help them understand that while AI can be fun and educational, it shouldn’t replace human connections.

Discuss the importance of privacy and why they should never share personal information, even if an AI character seems trustworthy.

Implement Safety Measures

• Use the platform’s teen safety features if your child is under 18
• Regularly review their character interactions when possible
• Consider using parental control tools to monitor overall device usage
• Keep accounts private and supervise voice cloning features

Should You Allow Your Kids to Use Character AI?

The decision to allow Character AI usage should be based on your child’s maturity level, emotional stability, and ability to distinguish AI from reality. Consider starting with limited, supervised access before allowing independent use.

If you do allow access, maintain ongoing conversations about their experiences and stay alert for any concerning changes in behavior or attitudes.

Kidslox Is Your Partner In The New AI Frontier

At Kidslox, we’ve always been committed to helping families navigate the challenges of new technology safely and confidently. As AI continues to evolve and integrate into our daily lives, we’re dedicated to staying at the forefront of digital safety.

We recognize that artificial intelligence tools like Character AI represent both exciting opportunities and significant risks for families. That’s why we’re continuing to research, analyze, and provide guidance on emerging AI technologies and their impact on child safety.

Stay tuned to our blog as we delve deeper into the frontier of AI safety, offering practical advice and updates on new developments in this rapidly changing landscape. Our goal remains unchanged: empowering parents to make informed decisions about their family’s digital well-being.

Remember, while technology continues to advance, nothing can replace the importance of open family communication and active parental involvement in your child’s digital lif.