Schatz, Cruz Introduce New Bill To Protect Kids On AI Chatbot Platforms

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) today introduced the CHATBOT Act, legislation that would put parents, not Big Tech, in charge of how children interact with AI chatbots and require higher safety safeguards for young users.

While AI chatbots can support a child's learning, research, and creativity, they also pose real risks to minors, including exposure to inappropriate content, language, and addictive features. Some AI companies have even deployed rewards, notifications, and targeted advertising to drive prolonged engagement by adolescent users.

The Children's Health, Advancement, Trust, Boundaries, and Oversight in Technology Act, or CHATBOT Act, would require AI companies to establish "family accounts" for parents to manage access and usage of AI chatbots by their children. Safety features provided under family accounts would, by default, be set to the most protective settings. Family accounts would be required for users under 13 and optional for teen users. For teen users that are not connected to a family account, safeguards would be fixed to the most protective settings. AI chatbots platforms would limit manipulative design features; require parental consent for chatbot usage; and prohibit targeted advertising to children. In addition, the bill would direct further study on potential chatbot-related harms to children and best practices for parents.

Upon introduction, Chairman Cruz said: "The rapid development of sophisticated chatbots has left many parents in the dark as powerful AI systems enter children's lives. Congress has an opportunity to put parents back in control. With the right safeguards, AI systems can benefit a child's education without putting their well-being at risk. The CHATBOT Act ensures America leads in deploying AI safely and responsibly."

Senator Schatz said: "AI is an incredibly powerful tool - it's everywhere, and it poses real risks for kids. We've seen reports of AI chatbots encouraging kids to hurt themselves and for some, they're replacing real life relationships, isolating kids from their families and friends. Our bill will give parents better tools to keep their kids safe and hold AI companies accountable."

Senator Curtis said: "Parents deserve both clarity and control over how their children interact with AI chatbots, which are becoming more integrated into their education and everyday lives," said Senator Curtis. "Our bipartisan bill provides commonsense guardrails that prioritize kids' safety, limit manipulative design, and help ensure that parents-not algorithms-hold the reins."

Senator Schiff said: "It is essential that we institute commonsense guardrails on the use of AI chatbots by children and teenagers that empower parents' ability to protect their kids. In California and across the country, we have seen firsthand the tragic consequences of quickly evolving AI chatbots which, in the worst cases, have encouraged self-harm, emotional dependency, violence, and exploitation of the youngest Americans. This moment demands action to protect children's health and safety online, and I'm proud to join Senators Cruz, Schatz, and Curtis in introducing this bipartisan legislation as a first step towards that goal."

Read the one-pager on this legislation HERE.

Read the full text of this legislation HERE.

The following groups are supportive of the legislation: 3Strands Global Foundation, America First Policy Institute, Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI), American Counseling Association, American Federation of Teachers, American Principles Project, Bull Moose Project, Citizens for Renewing America, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, David's Legacy Foundation, Digital Progress Institute, Enough is Enough, HSA Coalition, Interparliamentary Taskforce on Human Trafficking, NCOSE, Pearl at the Mailbox, and Street Grace.

Find a full list of supporting statements HERE.

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