Character Ai Ushers In Safer 'Stories' For Teens, Restricts Under-18 Access

Character.AI's Bold New Direction

In a move that’s turning heads in the AI community, Character.AI has made a significant policy shift by restricting access to its platform for users under 18. The company has replaced its popular open-ended chats with a new feature called 'Stories,' designed to provide a more controlled, safe environment for younger users.

Effective November 2025, underage users – identified either by self-declaration or age-verification systems – are now redirected to Stories. This new format offers a structured, choose-your-own-adventure style experience, allowing teens to engage in predefined narratives like fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery without the risks associated with unmoderated chats. The Stories feature is heavily moderated to filter out sensitive content, ensuring a safer space for younger audiences.

Regulatory Pressures and Legal Concerns

The changes come amid increasing legal pressure and public scrutiny. In October 2024, a tragic incident involving a 14-year-old from Florida led to a lawsuit against Character.AI, highlighting the potential dangers of unrestricted AI interactions. Similar concerns have been raised across multiple states and in the UK.

“The old system had become unsustainable,” expressed a former teenage user on Reddit, voicing both frustration and understanding of the necessity for change.

In response, California passed the AI Companion Safety Act in September 2025, setting strict guidelines for AI platforms. On a national level, the Kids Off AI Companionship Act is making its way through the Senate, promising severe penalties for non-compliance.

Industry Impact and Future Prospects

Character.AI’s pivot to Stories seems like a strategic move to align with current regulations while keeping its younger audience engaged. Early data indicates that under-18s make up 34% of the daily active users, a demographic too significant to lose without impacting the platform's engagement metrics.

While some users miss the unbounded interactions, the new direction is praised by mental health experts for potentially reducing parasocial relationships. Meanwhile, competitors like Replika and Chai are adjusting their strategies to capitalize on these shifts, targeting older audiences or relocating to areas with lenient laws.

Character.AI’s future now hinges on proving that a sanitized, narrative-driven product can sustain its impressive growth seen in previous years. The market response to these changes will ultimately decide if this new approach can replicate past success.