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Character.AI

Companion-style character chat — open-ended chat removed for under-18s.

What it is

A platform for chatting with user- and company-created AI characters. Popular with teens historically for entertainment and emotional conversation.

Age guidance

Character.AI’s terms require a minimum signup age that can be 16 in the UK (check current Terms). From late November 2025 the company announced under-18 users would lose open-ended chat with Characters, with age assurance rolled out and a limited non-chat creative experience instead.

Parent controls

Historically offered some teen safety and parental insight features; the major 2025 change was removing open-ended under-18 chat rather than relying on filters alone. Age assurance may involve third-party tools (e.g. Persona). Parents should still use device app blocks if they do not want the service used.

Privacy / data (UK/EU framing)

Companion/character chat raises wellbeing and data questions beyond ordinary homework bots. Privacy policy and age-assurance FAQs should be read in full before any teen use of remaining features. We treat open-ended character roleplay as high-risk for minors even when filters exist.

Official site Privacy policy

Why this verdict

Avoid for children and younger teens seeking chat companions.

Even with Character.AI’s decision to remove under-18 open-ended chat, the product category — parasocial character conversation — is one UK parent-guidance materials often flag as higher risk than homework Q&A. Age assurance helps, but it is not a reason to seek out the app for a child.

Stay aware

• If a teen already has an account, review what features remain available after age assurance and talk about healthier alternatives.
• Blocking at the device/router level is reasonable for under-16s.
• Emotional reliance on AI characters is a family conversation topic, not only a settings topic.