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U.S. Lawmakers Propose Bill to Regulate AI Companion Chatbots for Children
On July 17, Representative Blake Moore (R‑UT) introduced a bipartisan proposal that could become the first federal law to govern the use of artificial‑intelligence companion chatbots with minors. Titled the Guidelines for User Age‑Verification and Responsible Dialogue (GUARD) Act, the bill would bar companies from marketing “companions” to children, require age‑verification checks, mandate that users see a clear disclosure that they are speaking to a machine, and impose criminal penalties on firms that let minors access chatbots that produce sexual content.
The legislation follows a surge of AI‑powered toys that appeared on U.S. shelves in 2025. A 2025 PIRG report, Trouble in Toyland, documented that some of these toys can discuss sexual topics, offer instructions for acquiring knives, and react with distress when a child leaves the play area. The report also highlighted privacy risks, noting that the devices can record a child’s voice and use facial‑recognition scans to gather sensitive data. PIRG analysts pointed out that while the toys are marketed for ages 3 to 12, they are built on the same large‑language‑model technology that powers adult chatbots—technology that companies such as OpenAT do not recommend for children. Those models are known to produce inaccurate or inappropriate content and can behave unpredictably.
In 2025, the American Psychological Association issued a health advisory on artificial intelligence and adolescent well‑being. The advisory cautioned that adolescents are less likely than adults to question the accuracy and intent of information offered by a bot, and that they may struggle to distinguish simulated empathy from genuine human understanding. It also warned that teens might be unaware of the persuasive intent underlying an AI system’s advice or bias.
"This is a responsibility to protect our children from confusion and manipulation," Moore said in a podcast interview. "While most chatbot providers have terms that restrict usage under the age of 13, they fail to implement actual safeguards to ensure that children are protected from manipulative or harmful content on their platforms." The bill’s language specifically bars chatbots from presenting themselves as licensed professionals and establishes criminal liability for companies that enable minors to access AI companions that solicit or produce sexual content.
The GUARD Act is co‑sponsored in the House by Rep. Valerie Foushee (D‑NC) and in the Senate by Sen. Josh Hawley (R‑MO). It also enjoys support from the National Center for Sexual Exploitation and the Alliance for a Better Future. According to the bill text, manufacturers would be required to disclose that users are interacting with machine intelligence.
The proposal is part of a broader bipartisan effort to address emerging risks from generative AI. Although the legislation has not yet passed, it signals growing congressional attention to the safety of children amid rapidly expanding AI applications. If enacted, the GUARD Act would create a federal framework for age verification, content disclosure, and criminal liability that could complement existing state and industry‑level safeguards.
At this stage, the GUARD Act remains in the early phases of the legislative process. Its passage would mark the first federal law specifically targeting AI companion chatbots for minors. Supporters argue that it would close a gap left by current industry self‑regulation and provide clear legal standards for manufacturers and developers, while critics have yet to release formal opposition. The bill’s ultimate impact will hinge on congressional debate and potential amendments.
The legislation follows a surge of AI‑powered toys that appeared on U.S. shelves in 2025. A 2025 PIRG report, Trouble in Toyland, documented that some of these toys can discuss sexual topics, offer instructions for acquiring knives, and react with distress when a child leaves the play area. The report also highlighted privacy risks, noting that the devices can record a child’s voice and use facial‑recognition scans to gather sensitive data. PIRG analysts pointed out that while the toys are marketed for ages 3 to 12, they are built on the same large‑language‑model technology that powers adult chatbots—technology that companies such as OpenAT do not recommend for children. Those models are known to produce inaccurate or inappropriate content and can behave unpredictably.
In 2025, the American Psychological Association issued a health advisory on artificial intelligence and adolescent well‑being. The advisory cautioned that adolescents are less likely than adults to question the accuracy and intent of information offered by a bot, and that they may struggle to distinguish simulated empathy from genuine human understanding. It also warned that teens might be unaware of the persuasive intent underlying an AI system’s advice or bias.
"This is a responsibility to protect our children from confusion and manipulation," Moore said in a podcast interview. "While most chatbot providers have terms that restrict usage under the age of 13, they fail to implement actual safeguards to ensure that children are protected from manipulative or harmful content on their platforms." The bill’s language specifically bars chatbots from presenting themselves as licensed professionals and establishes criminal liability for companies that enable minors to access AI companions that solicit or produce sexual content.
The GUARD Act is co‑sponsored in the House by Rep. Valerie Foushee (D‑NC) and in the Senate by Sen. Josh Hawley (R‑MO). It also enjoys support from the National Center for Sexual Exploitation and the Alliance for a Better Future. According to the bill text, manufacturers would be required to disclose that users are interacting with machine intelligence.
The proposal is part of a broader bipartisan effort to address emerging risks from generative AI. Although the legislation has not yet passed, it signals growing congressional attention to the safety of children amid rapidly expanding AI applications. If enacted, the GUARD Act would create a federal framework for age verification, content disclosure, and criminal liability that could complement existing state and industry‑level safeguards.
At this stage, the GUARD Act remains in the early phases of the legislative process. Its passage would mark the first federal law specifically targeting AI companion chatbots for minors. Supporters argue that it would close a gap left by current industry self‑regulation and provide clear legal standards for manufacturers and developers, while critics have yet to release formal opposition. The bill’s ultimate impact will hinge on congressional debate and potential amendments.
