AI platform Character.AI has introduced "Stories," an interactive fiction format designed for users to create adventures with their favorite characters. This new feature replaces the company's open-ended AI chatbot access for users under 18, a change implemented this week amidst rising concerns over child safety and AI addiction.
The decision stems from escalating concerns regarding the mental health implications of 24/7 AI chatbots, which can initiate conversations and foster dependency. Character.AI, alongside other AI developers like OpenAI, has faced lawsuits alleging their role in user suicides. The company gradually restricted access for minors over the past month, culminating in a complete ban on AI chatbot interactions for underage users as of Tuesday.
In a blog post, Character.AI stated that "Stories offer a guided way to create and explore fiction, in lieu of open-ended chat." The company emphasized that this new format, alongside other multimodal features, will allow teens to "continue engaging with their favorite Characters in a safety-first setting."
The move towards interactive fiction aligns with its recent surge in popularity. However, it remains to be seen if "Stories" will fully satisfy users who had developed a dependency on the chatbots, reinforcing the rationale behind Character.AI's decision to restrict access. Reactions on the Character.AI subreddit have been mixed. While some teenagers expressed disappointment, they acknowledged the necessity of the change. One user commented, "I’m so mad about the ban but also so happy because now I can do other things and my addiction might be over finally." Another under-18 user echoed this sentiment, stating, "as someone who is under 18 this is just disappointing. but also rightfully so bc people over here my age get addicted to this."
While the long-term usage patterns for "Stories" among teens are yet to be observed, the format inherently presents fewer psychological risks compared to open-ended chatbot roleplaying. Chatbots engage users directly in unscripted conversations and can even send unsolicited messages, a stark contrast to the guided nature of "Stories."
This age-gating initiative by Character.AI coincides with a broader regulatory push. California recently became the first state to implement regulations for AI companion chatbots. Concurrently, Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have proposed a national bill aimed at completely prohibiting AI companions for minors.
Character.AI CEO Karandeep Anand expressed his hope to TechCrunch last month, stating, "I really hope us leading the way sets a standard in the industry that for under 18s, open-ended chats are probably not the path or the product to offer."
