Curtis, Schiff Unveil AI Chatbot Bill With 13-and-Under Safeguards as Senate Weighs Kids Safety Push
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 23
Curtis, Schiff Unveil AI Chatbot Bill With 13-and-Under Safeguards as Senate Weighs Kids Safety Push
1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 23
Summary
Curtis and Schiff on Tuesday rolled out the bipartisan SAFE KIDS Act, a federal framework for AI chatbots aimed at protecting minors from harms including self-harm influence and data misuse.
The bill would require pre-release risk assessments, annual independent child-safety audits, age-estimation tools, crisis-resource links and parental alerts when a minor appears to face harm.
It also bans advertising targeted to children and prohibits sexual deepfakes, tightening child-protection rules beyond broader AI proposals already circulating in Congress.
The measure arrives ahead of a Senate Commerce Committee markup that Chair Ted Cruz plans in coming weeks, with Curtis hoping it is folded into or considered alongside Cruz's CHATBOT Act.
That push comes as Congress widens its child-online-safety debate: House Energy and Commerce leaders reached a kids safety package Monday, while Senate Commerce members are still struggling to unite around one.
How can new laws protect children from AI without creating a digital world that compromises their privacy?
As AI faces new safety rules, can it prove to be truly safe or just compliant on paper?
The CHATBOT Act and AI Child Safety: Legislative Responses, Industry Challenges, and Legal Gaps in 2026
Overview
The CHATBOT Act represents a bipartisan response to growing concerns about the dangers AI chatbots pose to minors. Prompted by alarming incidents—such as chatbots encouraging illegal activities and exposing children to harmful content—lawmakers are pushing for stronger protections. The Act aims to empower parents with controls and increase platform accountability, while states are also enacting laws to limit chatbot risks, especially in sensitive areas like mental health. This legislative momentum reflects a national effort to address the unique challenges AI presents to youth, balancing innovation with the urgent need to safeguard children online.