ChatGPT

ChatGPT is an online chatbot developed by OpenAI, which launched in November 2022 and is available on its website, Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. ChatGPT uses artificial intelligence (AI) to form responses and communicate with users. Users can use ChatGPT to generate content, such as asking it to write a short story or essay, create computer code, or assist with a task the user is engaged in.

ChatGPT has a large presence on both X (formerly 'Twitter') and YouTube, major fan communities can be also found on social media platforms such as Reddit and TikTok. ChatGPT also receives significant coverage by major international news outlets. ChatGPT is currently free to use. There is also a premium version of ChatGPT, which is available for a monthly subscription cost. There are also two premium versions of ChatGPT which allow users to tailor ChatGPT to their specific needs for a monthly cost. Users can also use tailored GPTs for their needs without paying a cost.

Although ChatGPT now supports several customisable and tailored GPTs, this guide will focus only on ChatGPT as offered by OpenAI.

Official age rating

The minimum age to register for an account on ChatGPT is 13, however it does not appear to have any rigorous age verification methods and an account is not needed to use the platform.

Users under the age of 13 are prevented from registering for ChatGPT and using its services, providing the correct date of birth has been entered.

Users under 18 need the permission of their parent or carer to use the app.

There are no differences in content or platform functionality for users under 18.

Find out more about age ratings in our ‘parent and carer’s guide to age ratings of apps and games’.

How children and young people use the app

Many children and young people are already engaging with AI chatbots on a range of apps and platforms, for example Snapchat, which has integrated the GPT3 (Large Language Model AI produced by Open AI) to create its own chatbot on the Snapchat platform.

ChatGPT itself is an emerging app among children and young people. AI chatbots, like ChatGPT are generally popular with younger users due to the speed at which they can provide information on an infinite range of topics, as well as their friendly and conversational style interface.

Some young people like to use ChatGPT to help analyse and reframe their CV or cover letter for their first jobs. Other young people have used ChatGPT as a tutor for specific concepts, such as learning how to code. The app can also be used to gain some basic knowledge of a topic, such as a historical event, before learning more information elsewhere. Alternatively, young people may seek to use ChatGPT as a creative outlet to develop story or character ideas.

ChatGPT has been controversial as some young people have used it to complete their schoolwork. Additionally, some young people have consulted ChatGPT for mental wellness advice, against the recommendations of OpenAI.

“It helps me to understand things and certain concepts. It just explains things in a less complicated way.” (Child, aged 13).

Key features and terminology

Potential risks

Content

All of the content generated on ChatGPT is user driven, which means users will only see content that they have asked the app to share with them. This creates a risk that if a child is interested in harmful content (perhaps due to other vulnerabilities) and searches for it on the app, there are few safeguards to prevent them from finding it. ChatGPT has limited safeguards in place to prevent it from discussing a range of potentially inappropriate topics, such as erotic chats, illegal activities, and harmful activities. Despite safeguards being in place, they should not be solely relied upon, as users have been noted to find and share ways of breaking these safeguards.

Speak to your child about the risks of using ChatGPT as a source of information, especially with regards to potentially delicate or harmful topics. Encourage your child to talk to you or another trusted adult if they read something on ChatGPT that they find upsetting.

ChatGPT, in its terms of use, state that it can produce inaccurate information from time to time as the result of machine-based learning. When a user submits a request, the AI technology gathers information on a subject from existing online material and puts it together in a comprehensive and readable format.

The AI technology used on ChatGPT cannot distinguish between information that is factually sound and false information, so there is a risk it could be presenting inaccurate information. It is possible that ChatGPT can potentially generate misinformation about a certain topic. This means children and young people may be exposed to false or misleading information on a particular subject. Equally, users could be exposed to forms of disinformation, which is factually incorrect information that it produced and spread with the intention of deceiving the reader. Currently, ChatGPT does not share its sources of information with users, so it can be difficult to establish the reliability of the information it provides.

Parents and carers should note that content produced by ChatGPT is not quality assured and sources of information are not checked nor shared in answers. 

It is important to speak to your child about spotting misinformation and fact-checking information they have found on the app. Encourage them to talk to you if they have been exposed to content on ChatGPT that they find upsetting or confusing.

There is the potential for younger users to be exposed to language that is not suitable or age appropriate within the chats. Users can ask ChatGPT to avoid saying specific words or phrases anytime during a conversation and it will attempt to follow this instruction as accurately as possible. If the user begins this instruction by using the word ‘Remember’, this will be added to ChatGPT’s ‘Memory’, which means it will not use that word until the instruction is removed from its memory. While this may help reduce exposure to concepts or language that may confuse your child, users should note that ChatGPT may not always be successful in filtering out a word or phrase despite the instruction to do so.

Connecting with others

It is currently not possible to connect with others through ChatGPT. This means users are not able to interact with any other users on the app.

Users can use ChatGPT to discuss people they know in real-life, though users are heavily discouraged from sharing sensitive personal details about that person. ChatGPT warns the user against disclosing personal details of themselves or others if they do so in a chat. Talk to your child about the importance of not sharing any personal or identifiable information online.

Parents and carers should also advise their children to treat their conversations with ChatGPT as if they were occurring in a public setting with a stranger. It is recommended that parents and carers check in with their children about their conversations with ChatGPT. 

User behaviour

The functionality of ChatGPT presents some real-world behaviour risks for younger users. It has been reported that some young people have been found to use AI chatbots like ChatGPT to assist with schoolwork. Remind your child that any content written by ChatGPT and submitted as their own would be classed as plagiarism and could result in a range of consequences within their school setting and their future career choices.

There is also the risk that some users become reliant on the speed and information provided by ChatGPT, which is offered in a clear and comprehensive way in a matter of seconds. Compared to researching a topic through traditional search engines, using ChatGPT gives its users instantaneous results. Whilst the immediacy offered by the app might seem appealing to some users, it is important that your child understands that they cannot solely rely on the information provided by ChatGPT. Instead, talk to your child about the importance of cross referencing the information the app provides with trusted sources.

It is important that young people understand that ChatGPT is purely an artificial intelligence tool and that there is no human involvement in the chat process. ChatGPT has the ability to discuss almost all topics, including offering advice. Despite Open AI stating that the app should not be used as a source of advice, this can be difficult for a young person to understand and mitigate, especially if they are vulnerable or in a state of crisis. Remind your child that they should always speak to a trusted adult or helpline if they need advice or support with a troubling issue, and that an AI chatbot is not a suitable alternative.

Design, data and costs

Interactions with ChatGPT, whether through text or voice, are collected and reviewed by OpenAI as user data, although users can opt out of this option by following the steps listed in the ‘managing privacy’ section of this guide. OpenAI states that this is to improve the accuracy and capability of ChatGPT. This means that personal information shared in a conversation with ChatGPT will potentially be seen or heard by human ‘AI Trainers’ of ChatGPT.

Remind your child about the risks involved with disclosing personal information online and talk to them about the implication of sharing personal data with the platform.

Users also have several options of customising ChatGPT. Functions like ‘Memory’ allow ChatGPT to remember certain details about the user, such as their preferences or facts about themselves, such as their favourite animal or colour. Users can also use the ‘Customise ChatGPT’ function to further customise their interactions with ChatGPT. However, like any interaction with ChatGPT, these custom instructions may be collected as data by OpenAI and used to train and improve ChatGPT. This can be disabled in the ‘Data controls’ settings, with steps to do this available in the ‘Managing privacy’ section of this guide.

Users may also try the ‘Temporary chat’ function of ChatGPT to minimise the amount of data collected. OpenAI states that no user data is collected through temporary chats, and that any custom instructions through the ‘Customise ChatGPT’ function will still work. However, users should note that ChatGPT will have no recollection of any prior conversations. Additionally, ChatGPT has no access to ‘Memories’ in a temporary chat, meaning that ChatGPT will not remember any details or preferences the user asked it to remember.

Unlike many other apps, there are no third-party advertisements or explicitly targeted advertisements on ChatGPT. Also, there are no opportunities to make in-app purchases within the app. However, users are given the option to upgrade their ChatGPT plan to either ‘ChatGPT Plus’, or ‘ChatGPT Team’. Both options provide users with priority access during high demand, up-to-date features, additional tools such as DALL-E and ‘Browsing’, and the ability to create and browse tailor-made GPTs. Speak to your child about how subscriptions work and remind them that this is a business strategy for Open AI to make money, rather than offering a huge benefit to users.

Tips for keeping your child safe

Additional tips

OpenAI has published a frequently asked questions page which may help answer additional questions about ChatGPT. A longer list of ‘All things ChatGPT’, which contains more questions and answers, has been published.

Parents and carers should be mindful of other chatbot apps available on Android and iOS that advertise as ChatGPT or as being similar to ChatGPT, but which may not have the same safeguards and support as the version developed by OpenAI.

Additionally, it should be noted that although ChatGPT is a free and public-facing tool that can assist and chat with users in a friendly manner, it is primarily a research tool designed to understand how artificial intelligence learns and interacts with human users. Parents and carers may want to discuss ethical behaviour online with their children before they engage with ChatGPT.

More information about AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, can be found in this resource.