Meta pauses teen access to AI characters ahead of new version

January 24, 2026
Ai
Meta pauses teen access to AI characters ahead of new version

So, here’s something that caught my attention — Meta has hit pause on teen access to its AI characters across all its apps. And honestly, that’s a big move. According to Ivan Mehta writing in AI, Meta isn’t pulling the plug entirely; they’re just taking a step back to build a better, more refined version for teens. Now, here’s where it gets interesting — this pause isn’t about abandoning the idea but about retooling and improving safety, engagement, and maybe even some ethical questions around AI for younger users. As Mehta points out, Meta’s not rushing this; they want to get it right. So what does this mean for us? Well, it’s a sign that even big tech firms are cautious with AI — especially when it comes to younger audiences — and that responsible development is the priority. Keep an eye on this space, because the next chapter of AI for teens might be even more carefully crafted and smarter than before.

Meta today said that it is pausing teens' access to its AI characters globally across all its apps. The company mentioned that it is not abandoning its efforts but wants to develop an updated version of AI characters for teens.
Audio Transcript
Meta today said that it is pausing teens' access to its AI characters globally across all its apps. The company mentioned that it is not abandoning its efforts but wants to develop an updated version of AI characters for teens.
0:00/0:00