Character.AI Restricts Chatbots for Minors and Introduces “Stories”
Character.AI revealed on Tuesday that it is launching “Stories,” a new interactive fiction format that lets users craft guided narratives featuring their favorite characters. This update arrives as the platform’s chatbot feature becomes inaccessible for anyone under 18.
The shift comes amid rising concerns about the mental-health risks associated with always-available AI chatbots that can initiate conversations on their own. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against companies including OpenAI and Character.AI, alleging their technologies contributed to user suicides. Over the past month, Character.AI has gradually restricted minors’ access, and as of this week, under-18 users can no longer use its chatbots at all.
The company explained that Stories offer a structured way to create and explore fictional scenarios instead of relying on free-form AI chats. It will be included alongside the platform’s other multimodal tools so teens can still interact with their preferred characters in a safer, more controlled environment.
Interactive fiction has grown in popularity in recent years, making this pivot a logical move for the company. Still, some users who heavily relied on the chatbots may feel unsatisfied — which further underscores why limiting access for minors was necessary.
Reactions on the Character.AI subreddit are mixed. Based on users’ comments, some teenagers acknowledge they’re unhappy about the change but recognize its purpose.
Community Reactions and Broader Regulatory Context
One self-identified teen wrote, “I’m so mad about the ban but also so happy because now I can do other things and my addiction might be over finally.”
Another user added, “As someone who is under 18 this is just disappointing, but also rightfully so because people my age can get addicted to this.”
How minors will ultimately use the Stories feature remains uncertain, but this new format raises fewer psychological concerns than open-ended chatbot roleplay. Unlike chatbots, Stories do not initiate conversations and are not designed for spontaneous, ongoing dialogue.
The company’s decision to restrict minors’ access arrives as California becomes the first state to impose rules on AI companions. At the federal level, Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal have proposed legislation that would prohibit AI companion products for minors entirely.
The company’s CEO said last month that he hopes this move will set an industry standard, emphasizing that open-ended chat experiences are unlikely to be the right product for users under 18.
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