Senator Proposes Ban on AI Chatbots for Teenagers

A new piece of legislation could require artificial intelligence companies to verify the age of every individual using their chatbots. Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the GUARD Act on Tuesday, which would also ban all users under the age of 18 from accessing AI-powered chatbots, as previously reported by NBC News.

Just weeks ago, child safety advocates and parents testified at a Senate hearing, raising concerns about the impact of AI chatbots on minors. Under the proposed law, AI companies would be obligated to confirm users’ ages by requiring them to upload government-issued identification or use another “reasonable” verification method—potentially including facial recognition scans.

The bill would also mandate that AI chatbots disclose every 30 minutes that they are not human. Additionally, they must incorporate safeguards to prevent them from claiming human identity—a provision similar to a recently enacted AI safety law in California. The legislation would further make it illegal for chatbots to generate sexually explicit content involving minors or promote suicide.

“Our legislation imposes strict safeguards against exploitative or permissive AI, backed by robust criminal and civil enforcement,” Blumenthal said in a statement provided to The Verge. “Big Tech has betrayed any notion that we should trust companies to do the right thing when they consistently prioritize profits over children’s safety.”