U.S. Senators Propose Ban on AI Companions for Minors Amid Mental Health Concerns
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced the GUARD Act, legislation aimed at restricting AI interactions with minors. The bill seeks to ban AI companions for children, mandate clear identification of chatbots as non-human, and impose criminal penalties for companies producing sexual content through AI targeted at minors.
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) criticized AI companies for prioritizing profits over child safety, citing risks of manipulation, self-harm, and suicide. The MOVE follows reports of widespread teen reliance on AI for emotional support, raising alarms about exploitative practices.
The legislation underscores growing scrutiny of AI's societal impact, particularly its unchecked deployment among vulnerable populations. Enforcement mechanisms WOULD include both civil and criminal penalties for violations.
