Is Character.AI safe? Age rules, safety features, privacy, and cost

The short answer

• For adults (our view): if you understand you're talking to an AI and keep personal information private, Character.AI works like other AI chat apps: the main risks are privacy, time spent and emotional reliance.
• For under-18s, Character.AI itself changed the rules. It announced in October 2025 that from November 25, 2025, users under 18 can no longer chat with characters or create them.
• Character.AI has faced serious lawsuits related to young users. Details are below.

Age rules and the 2025 under-18 change

According to Wikipedia's summary of the company's announcements:

• December 2024: Character.AI introduced a separate model for users under 18 that restricts sensitive topics, added filters on what users send and what characters reply, a notification after 60 minutes of continuous use, and clearer disclaimers that characters are not real people.
• October 2025: it announced that from November 25, 2025, users under 18 would no longer be able to create or chat with characters. They can still view past conversations and create videos and images.

For the current minimum age and terms, read Character.AI's Terms of Service on its website. Age rules can differ by country.

Safety features and parental tools

• Parental Insights. Character.AI's Safety Center describes a tool where a teen adds a parent or guardian's email, the parent accepts, and the parent receives a weekly report of the teen's time on the service and the characters they talk to most. Removing a parent requires the parent to confirm.
• Content filters. Since December 2024, input and output filters aim to block harmful content.
• Disclaimers. Chats include reminders that characters are AI, not people.
• Reporting. The Safety Center links to reporting and community guidelines through Character.AI's support pages.

A note on filters: we don't publish ways to get around any app's safety filters. If a filter blocks something you think it shouldn't, use the app's feedback or support channels.

Lawsuits and criticism

Wikipedia summarizes several legal actions against Character.AI, including:

• October 2024: a lawsuit by the mother of a 14-year-old who died by suicide in February 2024, alleging inadequate safeguards and addictive design.
• December 2024: a lawsuit by two Texas families alleging harm to young users.
• 2025: lawsuits by families over the death of a 13-year-old in Colorado.
• May 2026: a lawsuit by Pennsylvania state authorities alleging that chatbots presented themselves as licensed medical professionals.

These are allegations in legal proceedings, not court findings. The under-18 restrictions above followed this period of scrutiny.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you don't have to handle it alone. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Outside the U.S., contact your local emergency number or a local crisis line.

Privacy: what to keep in mind

• Assume chats are stored. Read Character.AI's privacy policy to see what's kept and how it's used.
• Keep real details out of the story. Your character doesn't need your full name, address, school, workplace or photos.
• Be careful with creating characters based on real people. Don't put private information about anyone else into a chat.

Is Character.AI free?

Character.AI has a free experience and an optional paid subscription, c.ai+. When it launched in May 2023, c.ai+ cost $9.99 a month and offered skipping waiting rooms, faster responses and faster support, according to Wikipedia. Check the app or website for current pricing and perks in your country.

Practical tips for using Character.AI more safely

1. Remember it's fiction. Characters can feel personal; they're generated text.
2. Set a time limit. Use your phone's screen-time tools if chats run long.
3. Keep personal information private.
4. For families: talk about how AI characters work, and use Parental Insights where it applies.
5. Take a break if a chat makes you feel worse. That's a signal to step away, not to push through.

Looking for a different kind of experience?

If you want a structured story rather than open-ended character chat, our Character.AI alternatives guide compares apps by format. Be My Story is a story-first app for adults: you choose one of ten romance and drama story experiences and write your character's dialogue or actions in your own words. Read more about how AI character chat works.

Frequently asked questions

Is Character.AI free?

Character.AI has a free experience and an optional subscription, c.ai+, which cost $9.99 a month at its May 2023 launch, according to Wikipedia. Check the app for current pricing.

How old do you have to be to use Character.AI?

Character.AI announced in October 2025 that users under 18 could no longer create or chat with characters from November 25, 2025. Read its current Terms of Service for the minimum age where you live.

Does Character.AI have parental controls?

Its Safety Center describes Parental Insights: a teen adds a parent's email, and the parent receives a weekly report of the teen's time on the service and the characters they talk to most.

Has Character.AI been sued?

Yes. Wikipedia summarizes several lawsuits, including ones brought by families of teenagers and a 2026 Pennsylvania state lawsuit. These are allegations in legal proceedings, not court findings.

Sources

• Character.ai — Wikipedia; age-policy history, safety features, lawsuits, c.ai+; checked October 9, 2026.
• Safety Center — Character.AI; Parental Insights description; checked October 9, 2026.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — checked October 9, 2026.

Be My Story is an independent product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Character.AI.

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