Character.AI

How Character.AI works

Character.AI is a chatbot service that allows users to interact with artificial intelligence characters that generate human-like responses. Users can voice call characters, who reply using AI generated voices. Characters will remember information from recent chats. Users can also choose certain information for characters to always remember.

Characters can be based on real-life people, fictional characters or original creations by the user. Each character has its own personality and background, influencing how they respond to messages. The AI stays in-character, making the conversation feel genuine. Anyone can create a character, and other users can interact with the character.

Character.AI is mostly free to use. A paid subscription is available, giving access to additional features such as chat styles and faster responses. However, this subscription is not necessary to use the platform.

Minimum age requirements

Users must be at least 16 years old to create a Character.AI account.

Research conducted by Common Sense Media found that social AI companions have unacceptable risks for children and should not be used by anyone under the age of 18. See the Common Sense AI risk assessments for further information. 

There is no age verification for users. They are asked to enter their own date of birth. Users can easily enter a fake age.

Character.AI is working to ban users aged under 18 from engaging in open-ended chats with characters, although they will still be able to access ‘Stories’.

Features

C.ai+

A paid-for subscription that gives users access to perks such as faster response times and new features early.

Create a Character

This feature allows users to create their own characters, choosing a name, profile picture, description and more. Other users can interact with the character.

Rooms

Users can create virtual rooms with multiple characters, which act like group chats and allows characters to interact with each other.

Scenes

Users can create scenes, which feature characters acting out short stories or dialogues. Other users can play these scenes.

Stories

Guided narratives featuring characters, where users make decisions that impact the story. Users can play other’s stories or create their own. Stories are designed for all users, but especially teenagers.

Risks

Inappropriate content

Content on Character.AI is not suitable for under 18s. Characters can use sexual or violent language, and some users create AI versions of real people, which could be harmful. Sometimes the characters use suggestive or inappropriate language without being prompted to do so.

Overreliance

Characters respond instantly to any message with a response that is almost indistinguishable from a human. This constant availability can lead to young people developing an emotional dependence upon the character.

Settings to protect your child

Character.AI is not suitable for under 18s. If you are concerned about your child using Character.AI, you can prevent them from downloading the app using the app store settings on their device.

Restrict downloading the app (Android)

• Within the Google Play app, select the profile picture in the top right.
• On the menu, select ‘Settings’.
• In Settings, select the ‘Family’ section.
• Select ‘Parental controls’.
• Switch on the toggle next to ‘Parental controls are off’.
• Choose a PIN, then select ‘OK’.
• In the Parental controls, select 'Apps & games’.
• Select the age rating that best matches your child.
• Select ‘Save’.

Restrict downloading the app (iOS)

• With Family Sharing enabled, go to ‘Settings’ on your Apple device.
• Select ‘Family’ under your name.
• Select your child’s name.
• Select ‘Screen Time’.
• Select ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions’.
• Select ‘Content Restrictions’.
• Select ‘Apps’.
• Set limits based on your child’s age and maturity.