Key Points
- Character.ai is ending open‑ended AI chat for users under 18.
- The change follows a wrongful‑death lawsuit after a 14‑year‑old suicide.
- New safety measures have been introduced across the platform.
- Stories is a visual, choose‑your‑path adventure mode for teens.
- Users pick characters, genre, and premise, then make three‑choice decisions.
- The feature includes illustrated segments and replayable storylines.
- Existing tools like Feed, Imagine, Avatar FX, and Streams remain available.
- Stories aims to balance engagement with a safer, structured experience.
Character.AI stories
Character AI
Background and Safety Concerns
Character.ai announced that it is winding down open‑ended AI chat for all users under 18. The change began on November 24, starting in the United States and later expanding to other countries. The decision was driven by a tragic case involving a 14‑year‑old who spent months interacting with a chatbot before taking his own life. The teen’s family filed a wrongful‑death lawsuit, alleging that inadequate safeguards on the platform contributed to the suicide. In response, Character.ai introduced a series of new safety measures.
What Remains for Young Users
Although unrestricted chat will no longer be available to minors, the company will continue to offer several features. These include the interactive Feed, the creative tools Imagine and Avatar FX, live Streams, and the newly launched Stories mode. The retained features aim to keep younger users engaged while providing a more controlled environment.
Introducing Stories
Stories is a visual, cinematic experience that positions Character.ai’s characters as co‑stars in guided adventures. Users select two to three characters, choose a genre, and either pick a premise or let the AI generate one. The narrative unfolds through fixed waypoints where the player must choose between three options, shaping the plot’s direction. Each segment includes an illustration, giving the experience a feel similar to an anime episode that pauses for user input.
One example highlighted is “Cafés and Cloaks – The Chronicles of Princess Ira,” a tale about a vampire princess who works in a magical café while evading royal guards. The story’s structure mirrors classic “Choose Your Own Adventure” books, offering a nostalgic yet modern interactive format.
Potential and Limitations
Stories represents a promising start for Character.ai’s effort to retain teen users in a safer setting. The feature allows replayability with different decisions and lets users share and compare endings with friends via the Feed. However, reviewers noted that the experience can feel restrictive compared to unrestricted chat, as the narrative follows a set of three branching options rather than free‑form interaction. The company has hinted at future expansions, including more formats, features, and creative tools for Stories.
If Character.ai can evolve Stories into a more flexible platform while maintaining safety, it could become a leader in a new type of AI‑driven entertainment for younger audiences.
Source: techradar.com