eSAFETY GUIDE
C.ai

Character.AI

13+
Minimum age according to Character.AI
13+ Minimum age according to Character.AI

What is Character.AI?

Character.AI is an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that lets you create digital characters and interact with them via text, voice messages and calls. You can create an avatar for your AI character as well as a distinct voice, and you have the option to make your character public for others to chat with. You can interact with characters designed by other people, including characters in the likeness of popular fictional characters or famous people. Online messaging and a group chat feature also lets you chat with other people and AI characters.

As Character.AI allows anyone to create their own chatbot, and it includes NSFW or ‘not safe for work’ filters when searching for chatbots, there is a risk that young people could encounter content that is not age appropriate. It is also important to be aware that AI chatbots may say things that are inaccurate or harmful.

Character.AI is marketed as ‘AI that feels alive’ and is owned and operated by Character Technologies based in California, USA.

Character.AI offers a dedicated experience for teens, including restricted chat features and a 2-hour limit on daily use.

From 25 November 2025, users under 18 can no longer engage in open-ended chat conversations with its AI characters. Teens can still access the platform, but for non-chat features, such as creating videos, stories and streams with characters.

Parental insights tools also allow parents to see reports on their child’s activity and time spent on Character.AI.

For more information about the risks of AI chatbots and companions for children and young people, see our online safety advisory.

Website: character.ai

Apps: Android app, Apple iOS app

How do people use Character.AI?

Learn more about the benefits and risks associated with how people use AI chatbots like Character.AI.

Character.AI is used for: in-app purchasing, live streaming, messaging/online chat, video calling and voice chat.

How can you report online abuse or remove someone from a group chat?

These links are provided by Character.AI:

How can you protect your personal information?

This link is provided by Character.AI:

  • Privacy policy
    The types of data that Character.AI collects, how this is used and which third parties have access to it.

Key safety links

These links are provided by Character.AI:

  • Terms of service
    The terms you agree to when you use Character.AI.
  • Safety centre
    Information on Chararcter.AI’s processes, content moderation policies and how they train language models.
  • Parental controls
    Information of Character.AI’s parental insights tools and how they work.
  • Content moderation
    How Character.AI moderates content.
  • Teen safety
    How Chatacter.AI uses safety features to create a separate experience for under 18s.
  • Mental health resources
    A list of mental health supports and alternative creative experiences for young people.
  • Help and support
    Useful links, including FAQs, for Character.AI users. 

Social media changes are coming

From 10 December 2025, certain social media platforms won’t be allowed to let Australian children under 16 create or keep an account.

Find out more at eSafety’s social media age restrictions hub.

About The eSafety Guide

The eSafety Guide helps you find out how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites. Entries are for information only and are not reviews or endorsements by eSafety. Before choosing to use any online service or platform it’s best to:

  • do your own research to understand the risks and benefits
  • check the age rating and requirements
  • consider privacy
  • check the permissions and other settings
  • check the in-app reporting options.

If you are a parent or carer who is deciding whether a child should be allowed to use an online service or platform, you can also:

  • consider your child's readiness for the types of content and experiences they might encounter
  • help them understand what to do if they need help
  • provide ongoing support and monitoring, for example through regular check-ins with your child
  • agree to some rules about use of each service or platform.

To find out more, you can read the App checklist for parents, as well as information about parental controls in social media, games and apps and mental wellbeing resources for families.