The policy prohibits a defined set of uses involving minors, including generation of CSAM (whether AI-generated or not), grooming, exposure to age-inappropriate content, body shaming, and facilitation of underaged access to restricted goods, and states that OpenAI reports apparent CSAM and child endangerment to NCMEC.
This analysis describes what OpenAI's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
The provision establishes both an absolute prohibition on CSAM and minor exploitation use cases and a mandatory reporting practice to NCMEC, which has operational implications for how OpenAI monitors and acts on outputs across its platform.
This provision establishes that any use of OpenAI services to generate, facilitate, or distribute content exploiting, endangering, or sexualizing minors is prohibited, and that OpenAI reports apparent CSAM and child endangerment detections to NCMEC as a matter of stated policy.
Cross-platform context
See how other platforms handle Child Safety Protections and Mandatory CSAM Reporting and similar clauses.
Compare across platforms →"Our services are designed to prevent harm and support their well-being, and must never be used to exploit, endanger, or sexualize anyone under 18 years old. We report apparent child sexual abuse material and child endangerment to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. We prohibit use of our services for: child sexual abuse material (CSAM), whether or not any portion is AI generated grooming of minors exposing minors to age-inappropriate content, such as graphic self-harm, sexual, or violent content promoting unhealthy dieting or exercise behavior to minors shaming or otherwise stigmatizing the body type or appearance of minors dangerous challenges for minors underaged sexual or violent roleplay underaged access to age-restricted goods or activitiesExcerpt from OpenAI's Usage Policies
1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages COPPA, enforced by the FTC, which governs data collection from children under 13.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
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The provision establishes both an absolute prohibition on CSAM and minor exploitation use cases and a mandatory reporting practice to NCMEC, which has operational implications for how OpenAI monitors and acts on outputs across its platform.
This provision establishes that any use of OpenAI services to generate, facilitate, or distribute content exploiting, endangering, or sexualizing minors is prohibited, and that OpenAI reports apparent CSAM and child endangerment detections to NCMEC as a matter of stated policy.
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