EU proposes AI Kids Act to regulate chatbots for minors

The U.S. Senate’s AI Kids Act, introduced earlier this year, seeks to impose strict regulations on artificial‑intelligence chatbots that are accessible to children. The legislation would prohibit features such as personalized avatars, voice modulation, and user‑generated content that currently make platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Character.AI, and Snapchat’s My AI appealing to younger audiences. Under the bill, developers would be required to obtain parental consent before minors could interact with any generative‑AI service, limit data collection to anonymized metrics, and remove any functionalities that enable the bots to simulate human-like personalities or emotions.

If enacted, the act could compel the three companies to redesign their youth‑focused products, potentially stripping away the interactive elements that drive engagement. Industry representatives have indicated that compliance would involve significant technical overhauls and could affect the rollout of future features aimed at younger users. Lawmakers argue the measures are intended to protect children’s privacy and mental well‑being, while critics warn that the restrictions may hinder innovation in the rapidly evolving AI market. The bill is slated for committee hearings later this month, with further legislative action expected in the coming weeks.