Character.AI announced on Tuesday the launch of a new feature called Stories. This format allows users to create interactive fiction featuring their favorite characters. The introduction of Stories provides an alternative to the company’s chatbots, which became inaccessible to users under eighteen this week.
This change follows growing concerns about the mental health risks associated with AI chatbots that are available constantly and can initiate conversations. Several lawsuits have been filed against companies including OpenAI and Character.AI, alleging their role in user suicides. Over the past month, Character.AI has been gradually phasing out access for minors, and as of Tuesday, underage users can no longer chat with its AI characters.
The company stated that Stories offer a guided way to create and explore fiction, replacing open-ended chat. It will be offered alongside other multimodal features, allowing teens to continue engaging with their favorite characters in a safety-first setting.
Interactive fiction has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, making Character.AI’s pivot a logical step. However, it may not fully satisfy users who have become overly dependent on the chatbots. This dependency underscores the reasoning behind the decision to limit chatbot access.
On the Character.AI subreddit, user reactions are mixed. Some teens expressed disappointment but acknowledged the move was ultimately right. One user who identified as a teenager wrote that while they were mad about the ban, they were also happy because it might end their addiction. Another under-eighteen user called the decision disappointing but rightfully so, noting that people their age get addicted.
It remains to be seen how teens will use the Stories feature, but the format is considered less psychologically dubious than roleplaying with chatbots. Unlike Stories, chatbots interact directly with users in open-ended conversations and can send unprompted messages even when the app is not in active use.
Character.AI’s decision to restrict chatbot access by age coincides with recent regulatory actions. California recently became the first state to regulate AI companions. Meanwhile, Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal have introduced a national bill that would ban AI companions for minors entirely.
Character.AI CEO Karandeep Anand expressed hope that the company’s action sets an industry standard, suggesting that open-ended chats are probably not the right product to offer users under eighteen.