- ChatGPT now routes sensitive chats to GPT-5 with “safe completions.”
- Parental controls let parents manage teen AI experiences.
- Users are divided, balancing safety and AI flexibility.
OpenAI has rolled out a new safety routing system and parental controls in ChatGPT, aiming to prevent harmful interactions while sparking mixed reactions from users. The updates come after growing scrutiny over AI responses that have previously validated harmful or delusional thinking.
Safety Routing Targets High-Stakes Conversations
The new system automatically detects emotionally sensitive chats and routes them to GPT-5 models, which feature OpenAI’s “safe completions” technology. This allows ChatGPT to respond safely to sensitive questions instead of simply refusing to engage.
Nick Turley, VP of the ChatGPT app, explained that routing happens on a per-message basis and is temporary. Users are notified of the active model when asked. OpenAI has given itself a 120-day period to refine the system based on real-world usage. While experts have praised this approach, some long-time users have expressed frustration, feeling the AI is now overly cautious and less flexible.
1/ We’ve started testing a new safety routing system in ChatGPT.
— Nick Turley (@nickaturley) September 27, 2025
As we previously mentioned, when conversations touch on sensitive and emotional topics the system may switch mid-chat to a reasoning model or GPT-5 designed to handle these contexts with extra care. This is similar…
Parental Controls Offer Customization and Protection
OpenAI also introduced parental controls, allowing parents to manage teen accounts with features like quiet hours, voice mode restrictions, memory limits, and content filters. The system can detect potential signs of self-harm in teens and notify parents through email, text, or push alerts, unless opted out.
“These controls are designed to let parents intervene when necessary,” OpenAI noted, emphasizing that while the system may occasionally raise false alarms, proactive alerts are preferable to inaction. The company is exploring ways to contact law enforcement or emergency services if immediate danger is detected.
User Reactions Highlight Divided Opinions
Reactions to the updates have been split. Safety advocates welcome the enhanced protections, particularly for vulnerable users. Critics argue that the measures can degrade the experience for adult users by treating them like children and limiting the AI’s responsiveness.
Despite the debate, OpenAI is committed to ongoing adjustments, learning from both positive and negative feedback to balance safety and user autonomy.
Also Read: Silicon Valley Invests $100B in OpenAI: Pulse Launch Highlights AI’s Next Era
OpenAI’s latest updates show the company prioritizing safety without completely sacrificing usability. With safety routing and parental controls now live, ChatGPT aims to provide a more responsible AI experience, though it will take months of iteration to strike the right balance.
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