Sens Cruz, Schatz, Curtis, Schiff Introduce New Bill Giving Parents Control Over Kids’ AI Chatbot Use

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sens Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Curtis (R-UT), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced the CHATBOT Act, legislation that would put parents, not Big Tech, in charge of how children and teens interact with AI chatbots. 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. AI chatbots would limit manipulative design features; require parental consent for chatbot usage and parental controls to access and monitor a child’s conversations with a chatbot; 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.