Character.AI launches structured Stories feature for teens, restricts open-ended chats
By
Emma Roth
Lightly browned and well buttered. A solid pick from the rack.
Summary
Character.AI is banning underage users from open-ended chats on its platform due to lawsuits over alleged negative impact on teen mental health. Instead, the company is launching a new 'Stories' feature that offers structured, choose-your-own-adventure-style experiences with AI characters. While available to all users, Character.AI is specifically pitching this feature as a way to enhance the experience for users under 18, providing guided narratives as an alternative to unrestricted conversations.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledCharacter.AI, under threat from several lawsuits over its alleged negative impact on teen mental health, is banning underage users from open-ended chats on its site.
Instead, teens will be allowed to use a new 'Stories' format that, unlike regular chats, offers 'structured' choose-your-own-adventure-style experiences with the AI characters on its platform.
The feature is available to everyone, but Character.AI is pitching it as a way to 'enhance' the experience for users under 18.
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