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Most are. Dedicated AI boyfriend and companion apps, including Nomi AI, Kindroid, Candy AI and Replika, require users to be 18 or older, and any app that allows explicit content should. The main exception is Character AI, which accepts teens from 13 but has restricted under-18 accounts since November 2025.
Age limits for popular apps
| App | Minimum age | Adult content |
|---|---|---|
| Nomi AI | 18+ | Allowed for adults |
| Kindroid | 18+ | Allowed for adults |
| Candy AI | 18+ | Allowed for adults |
| OurDream AI | 18+ | Allowed for adults |
| SpicyChat | 18+ | Allowed for adults |
| Janitor AI | 18+ | Web only, after age verification |
| Replika | 18+ | Heavily restricted |
| PolyBuzz | Inconsistent across stores | Filtered |
| Chai AI | 17+ | Filtered |
| Character AI | 13+ (restricted under 18) | Not allowed |
Age limits come from each app’s terms and store listings at the time of writing, and they do change.
Why most AI boyfriend apps are adults-only
Three reasons:
- Adult content. Many companion apps allow romantic and 18+ chat for consenting adults. Our NSFW AI boyfriend guide covers those apps.
- Emotional intensity. Companions are designed to be warm and attentive, and companies have faced scrutiny over how that affects young users.
- Regulation and lawsuits. Character AI faced multiple lawsuits over harm to teenagers; Google and Character AI agreed to settle in January 2026. Replika’s developer was fined in Italy in 2025, partly for lacking age verification before February 2023.
How age verification works
Age checks range from almost nothing to fairly strict:
- Self-declaration. Many apps simply ask you to confirm you’re 18 or enter a birth date.
- Feature-level gates. Janitor AI requires age verification, and you have to enable adult content at both the account and character level.
- Age estimation and ID checks. Character AI uses behavioral age estimation plus ID or face checks through Persona.
Weak checks are a known problem. PolyBuzz’s age rating has been reported as 18+, 17+ and Teen in different stores, and its web version reportedly lacks an age gate. If you’re a parent, don’t rely on an app’s own checks alone.
A note for parents
Most AI boyfriend apps are not designed for teenagers. If you’re worried about a child using one:
- Use the parental controls built into iOS and Android to restrict app downloads and purchases.
- Check browser history too, since several apps (Candy AI, OurDream AI, DreamBF, CrushOn AI) are web-only and won’t appear as installed apps.
- Talk about why these apps are designed to be engaging, and that the “person” on the other end isn’t real. Our explainer on whether AI boyfriends have feelings can help frame that conversation.
For a broader look at the risks for adults, see are AI boyfriends safe? If you or someone you know is struggling, in the US you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Frequently asked questions
Is Character AI 18+?
No. Character AI allows users aged 13 and older, but on 25 November 2025 it removed open-ended chat for under-18 users, limiting them to guided formats like Stories. It uses behavioral age estimation plus ID or face checks through Persona. Romantic content is filtered for everyone. Read our Character AI review.
Do AI boyfriend apps verify your age?
It varies a lot. Some only ask you to confirm you're 18 or enter a birth date. Others go further: Character AI uses age estimation and ID checks, and Janitor AI requires age verification before adult content can be enabled. Expect checks to get stricter as regulation increases.
What should parents know about AI boyfriend apps?
Most dedicated AI boyfriend apps are not meant for minors, and many allow adult content. Some apps have inconsistent age ratings; PolyBuzz, for example, has been listed as 18+, 17+ and Teen in different stores. Use device-level parental controls and talk with teens about how these apps work and why they're designed to be engaging.
Can a 17-year-old use an AI boyfriend app?
Generally not legitimately. Most companion apps require users to be 18 or older in their terms. Chai is listed at 17+ but its content is filtered, and Character AI accepts teens but restricts under-18 accounts to guided formats without open-ended chat.