ChatGPT for kids aged 8–15: the real issue is the screen around it
ChatGPT isn't meant for children under 13, and offers a dedicated experience for 13-17 year olds with ChatGPT for Teens. For a child aged 8 to 15, the real question is often somewhere else: which device they use it on, and what else that device opens up.
In short
- ChatGPT is not meant for children under 13 (OpenAI).
- ChatGPT for Teens exists for 13-17 year olds, with safeguards and parental controls.
- Gemini apps are currently not available to supervised accounts in the EU, the UK and Switzerland.
- Claude.ai is for adults aged 18 and over.
Educational memo
How old do you have to be to use ChatGPT?
OpenAI says ChatGPT is not meant for children under 13. Teens aged 13 to 17 need a parent's permission, and ChatGPT for Teens applies age-appropriate safeguards. For educational use with under-13s, OpenAI recommends that an adult leads the interaction.
Do you have to be 18 to use ChatGPT?
No. ChatGPT is open from 13 with parental permission. It's Claude.ai, Anthropic's assistant, that is limited to adults aged 18 and over.
Does ChatGPT have parental controls?
Yes. A parent can link their account to their teen's (13-17) and manage settings such as quiet hours, voice mode, image generation, memory and reduced sensitive content. However, parents cannot read their teen's conversations, chat history or real-time activity: it's a deliberate privacy choice.
Is ChatGPT safe for kids and teens?
For 13-17 year olds, ChatGPT for Teens adds real safeguards, though no filter is perfect. Under 13, OpenAI does not intend it for independent use. Either way, the device matters as much as the tool: a phone or tablet also opens the browser, videos, games and social apps.
Is there a ChatGPT for kids or a family plan?
There is no ChatGPT for under-13s. For 13-17 year olds, ChatGPT for Teens works on the free plan as well as paid plans, with a linked parent account. For ages 8 to 15, Compagnon takes a different approach: a dedicated, screen-free device that answers by voice.
Can my child use ChatGPT for homework?
A teen can use it to have a concept explained, practise or revise, for example with Study Mode. The risk is letting it write the answer for them. Under 13, OpenAI recommends that an adult leads. Compagnon explains, rephrases and quizzes children aged 8 to 15 by voice, based on their age and school year.
Is Gemini suitable for kids?
Google offers Gemini with protections for minors, managed through Family Link. But Gemini apps are currently not available to supervised accounts in the EU, the UK and Switzerland, and Google states that its filters are not perfect.
Is Claude suitable for kids?
No: Claude.ai is officially limited to people aged 18 and over, under Anthropic's terms.
Does a child need ChatGPT Plus?
No. The free version of ChatGPT is genuinely usable for everyday chats, and ChatGPT for Teens also works on the free plan. ChatGPT Plus ($20 a month) mainly adds higher limits and more tools.
Can ChatGPT play music?
Yes, through connected services such as Spotify, which works with a free or Premium Spotify account. The music then comes from that external service. On Compagnon, music is built into the device and starts straight away by voice.