OpenAI has announced it will begin allowing mature content on ChatGPT for age-verified adult users starting December 2025. The move comes as part of a broader effort to relax content restrictions and better serve user preferences while maintaining safety controls.
CEO Sam Altman announced the change via a post on X, explaining that OpenAI intends to treat “adult users like adults.” In his message, he said: “We will allow even more, like erotica for verified adults.” Previously, ChatGPT had tight limits to prevent misuse, particularly related to mental health content, but those constraints also made some conversations less engaging for users without sensitive issues.
OpenAI will roll out age-gating features to make sure only users who verify their age can access mature content. Altman acknowledged that balancing openness and safety has been delicate: the company initially restricted content to protect vulnerable users, but now believes more flexible guardrails are possible. In addition, users will gain more control over how ChatGPT interacts, for instance, allowing it to use more expressive language, emojis, or a friendlier tone when asked.
In a similar development, Meta recently introduced a new content system designed to restrict what users under 18 can view on platforms like Instagram and its generative AI tools. The framework applies a “PG-13 style” moderation filter, ensuring that younger audiences are shielded from potentially mature or sensitive material.
OpenAI plans to introduce the new mature content mode gradually, first to verified adult users, while keeping stronger controls for general audiences. With this update, the platform is reshaping how it handles sensitive content, giving adults more freedom while trying not to jeopardise safety or moderation.
If executed carefully, the change could make ChatGPT more broadly useful, creative, and responsive for mature users who want fewer filters in their interactions. But it also raises questions about how OpenAI will enforce age verification, prevent abuse, and moderate content across cultures and languages.
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