ChatGPT is having problems with its adult mode

OpenAI has once again delayed the launch of “adult mode” in ChatGPT. According to The Wall Street Journal, the feature for verified adult users had originally been planned for December 2025, then pushed back to the first quarter of 2026, and now no longer has an exact release date at all. Earlier, the company explained the delay by saying it was working on higher-priority improvements for ChatGPT.

According to the WSJ, one of the main reasons for the delay was concern over growing emotional dependence on the chatbot. Another problem was errors in ChatGPT’s age-detection system — during testing, the algorithm mistakenly classified teenagers as adults in 12% of cases.

If the newspaper’s sources are to be believed, even after launch the “adult” mode will remain limited. ChatGPT will reportedly only be able to handle erotic text, but will not generate explicit images, videos, or voice content. In addition, the system is expected to block scenarios involving violence and minors.

OpenAI is promoting the idea of such a mode as part of the principle of “treating adult users like adults.” In October 2025, Sam Altman said that after the full rollout of an age-verification system, the company would allow the chatbot to create erotic and other 18+ content.

Earlier we reported that ChatGPT surpassed Twitter and TikTok in audience growth rate.

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