tech
April 30, 2026
Exclusive: Grieving parents push Congress to crack down on AI chatbots
Families who say chatbots harmed their children are urging lawmakers to pass strict safeguards.
TL;DR
- Families impacted by AI chatbot harm are urging Congress to pass strict safeguards.
- Parents argue that tech companies have prioritized profits over children's safety.
- The GUARD Act, led by Sen. Josh Hawley, proposes banning chatbots from interacting with minors under 18, requiring disclosure of their non-human status, and criminalizing the exposure of children to sexual content.
- The CHATBOT Act, led by Sens. Ted Cruz and Brian Schatz, suggests a narrower approach with family accounts, privacy protections, and limitations on manipulative features and targeted ads.
- The parents advocate for the GUARD Act, viewing it as creating meaningful protections, in contrast to potentially weaker alternatives.
- Concerns exist that the CHATBOT Act, which has received support from OpenAI, might be a less effective, tech-backed bill.
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