Character.AI has unveiled a new interactive feature called “Stories,” designed to provide teenagers with a safer and more structured way to engage with fictional characters.

The rollout comes as the company officially restricts all open-ended chatbot interactions for users under 18.

The shift follows intensifying public concern over the psychological impact of AI chatbots, particularly those available around the clock and capable of initiating unsolicited conversations.

Both Character.AI and OpenAI are currently facing lawsuits alleging their technologies played a role in self-harm incidents involving young users.

Over the past month, Character.AI gradually phased out access for minors, culminating this week in a full shutdown of chatbot use for underage accounts.

In a statement published on its blog, the company explained:

“Stories offer a guided way to create and explore fiction, in lieu of open-ended chat. It will be offered alongside our other multimodal features, so teens can continue engaging with their favorite Characters in a safety-first setting.”

Interactive storytelling has risen in popularity in recent years, and Character.AI’s pivot reflects an attempt to balance creativity with responsible product design.

Still, many young users accustomed to unrestricted chatbot role-play expressed mixed emotions about the change.

On the Character.AI subreddit, teens shared both frustration and relief. One user 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 added, “As someone under 18, this is just disappointing. But honestly, it’s the right move because people my age get addicted to this.”

Unlike traditional chatbot interactions, which can be psychologically immersive and sometimes intrusive, the Stories format avoids open-ended, real-time responses.

Instead, users follow a guided narrative path, reducing risks linked to emotional dependency or compulsive use.

Character.AI’s age-restriction decision coincides with emerging regulation in the United States.

California recently became the first state to impose rules on AI companion platforms, while U.S. Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal are pushing for a nationwide ban on AI companions for minors.

Character.AI CEO Karandeep Anand commented on the company’s direction last month, saying, “I really hope us leading the way sets a standard in the industry that for under-18s, open-ended chats are probably not the path or the product to offer.”

Source: Techcrunch