Core Viewpoint - Meta is pausing teens' access to its AI characters globally across all its apps to develop a special version tailored for teens [1][5] Group 1: Company Actions - Meta is not abandoning its AI character efforts but is focusing on creating a safer experience for teens [1] - The company has rolled out new parental control features aimed at restricting teen access to sensitive topics, inspired by PG-13 movie ratings [2] - Meta has received feedback from parents requesting more insights and control over their teens' interactions with AI characters, leading to the decision to pause access [4] Group 2: Upcoming Changes - Teens will lose access to AI characters until the new teen-specific versions are ready, affecting users who have provided a teen birthday or are suspected to be teens based on age prediction technology [5] - The new AI characters will include built-in parental controls and will focus on age-appropriate topics such as education, sports, and hobbies [6] Group 3: Industry Context - Social media companies, including Meta, are under scrutiny from regulators, with ongoing legal challenges related to the protection of minors and social media addiction [7] - Other AI companies have also modified their offerings for teens in response to lawsuits, implementing age restrictions and safety rules [8]