On September 29, 2025, OpenAI announced the rollout of new parental controls for ChatGPT amid mounting legal and public scrutiny over the safety of conversational AI for minors. The feature allows parents to link their accounts to those of teenagers aged 13 to 17, automatically activating stronger filters that block sexual or romantic roleplay, screen sensitive content, down-rank extreme imagery, and disable high-risk functions such as voice and image generation or the use of conversations in model training.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a deeply sensitive subject, one that no caregiver wants to imagine affecting their family. However, it’s a reality that demands urgent attention and proactive involvement from caregivers to protect children. While institutions contribute to organized prevention efforts, caregivers are the first line of defense. Through intentional communication, teaching body autonomy, and fostering emotional resilience, they are uniquely positioned to empower children and equip them with the tools needed to keep themselves safe.

In this blog post, we’ll examine how caregivers can actively help prevent CSA. By focusing on age-appropriate education and building open, trusting relationships with their children, they can create a safer environment where children can thrive and grow.