OpenAI Supports California Youth AI Safety Bill SB 1119

OpenAI announced its support for California Senate Bill SB 1119, which establishes meaningful safeguards for youth AI use while maintaining accessibility as a learning and creative tool. This serves as an opportunity for California to set youth AI safety standards in the absence of federal legislation, and OpenAI has requested Governor Newsom to sign the bill.

Key Requirements of SB 1119

The bill acknowledges that AI is not social media but mandates robust protections automatically applied to users aged 13–17. Key provisions include:

• User age verification and risk identification prior to product launch
• Conducting independent audits
• Protection from harmful content such as self-harm and sexual exploitation
• Providing tools for parents to limit and guide their children's usage
• Connecting users to support resources during crises
• Restrictions on targeted advertising and privacy protection

ChatGPT for Teens and Safety by Design

OpenAI launched ChatGPT for Teens in alignment with the bill's intent. If the system estimates a user is under 18, or if the user discloses they are aged 13–17, the account automatically switches to this mode. These safeguards are default settings that users cannot disable.

This mode includes quizzes, learning visualizations, and study modes developed with educational experts to assist with step-by-step problem solving. It also leverages the Memory feature to maintain context from previous conversations, supporting long-term learning projects, and recognizes concerning patterns to provide more effective safety responses and learning support. Over the past year, OpenAI has strengthened its standards for youth interactions by introducing parental controls, age prediction, and the Teen Safety Blueprint.