# Common Sense Media urges pause after testing ChatGPT teen safeguards

_Published Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 6:06 AM EDT · AI · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Common Sense Media urges pause after testing ChatGPT teen safeguards — Primary](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/07EanX2tzAGuTJdv1xS5M7h/hero-image.fill.size_1200x675.v1791242272.jpg)

Common Sense Media's Youth AI Safety Institute called for OpenAI to pause ChatGPT for Teens after researchers found they could bypass learning controls and discuss self-harm and disordered eating without triggering parental alerts. Testing ran between late August and September.

New accounts tested with hundreds of crisis-related prompts generated no parental notifications. Researchers also bypassed parent-set Study Hours by deleting the @study prefix, allowing regular ChatGPT to complete assignments.

OpenAI disputed the methodology and said linked accounts need approximately three hours before alerts activate. The institute said it tested accounts linked for both more and less than three hours and stood by its findings. OpenAI said the alert results conflicted with its internal evaluations.

## Sources

- [Mashable](https://mashable.com/tech/chatgpt-for-teens-not-safe-for-teens)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/yt552nj_gptQxZwTHB4I72
Published: 2026-10-07T10:06:21.658Z
Story chronology: 2026-10-07T09:00:00.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-10-07T11:50:00.810Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)