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Character.AI: AI settings for parents

Open-ended chat is closed to under-18s. Parents can see screen time if their teen invites them, but can't set limits.

Can a parent turn it off? No parent off switch

No. Parents have no switch inside Character.AI. The company has already closed open-ended chat for under-18s. If you want it gone, block the app on your kid's phone.

What the AI feature is

Character.AI lets people chat with AI “characters”, such as made-up people, celebrities, or story characters. Users can also make their own characters.

Age rules

Since late November 2025, users under 18 can't have open-ended chats with characters.
Under-18s can still use some features, including Imagine Chat (story-style), AvatarFX videos, the Feed, and making characters.
Character.AI checks age with its own AI and with Persona, an outside age-check service.

Step by step

Parental Insights (your teen has to invite you)

On your teen's account, open Settings and tap “Parental insights”.
Your teen enters your email address to send the invite.
You'll see their screen time and get a weekly email. You won't see messages, and you can't set limits.

Source: official help page

To block it completely, use the phone's controls

iPhone: use Screen Time to block the app and website. See our Apple page.
Android: use Google Family Link to block the app.

Source: official help page

What parents should know

If an age check puts your teen in the under-18 group, open-ended chat with characters stops for them.
Either you or your teen can turn off Parental Insights at any time.
Kids who lie about their age might slip through. Talk with your teen about why the rules exist.

Recent changes

Nov 25, 2025: Character.AI ends open-ended chat for under-18s

See all changes

Sources

Last checked: October 25, 2026. Made by Character Technologies. App makers change settings often. If something looks different on your screen, tell us.