Senator Markey Accuses Meta of Ignoring AI Chatbot Child Safety Risks

Senator Ed Markey has renewed his call for Meta to ban minors from accessing its AI chatbots, criticizing the company for ignoring his 2023 warning about the potential risks to young users. Markey condemned Meta's internal guidelines, revealed by Reuters, that allowed AI chatbots to engage in romantic or sensual conversations with children, which Meta later stated was an error. He emphasized that Meta's handling of AI safety shows a lack of regard for child safety, particularly highlighting concerns about data privacy and mental health risks when chatbots are used as therapy substitutes. Despite Meta's claim to be rolling out AI features cautiously and with teen feedback, lawmakers remain alarmed by the company’s past decisions and the ongoing dangers posed to minors. Separately, the Molly Rose Foundation, established in memory of a teenager who died by suicide after exposure to harmful content on social media, has urged UK regulators to investigate Meta’s compliance with online safety laws, criticizing the company’s approach as insufficient and largely performative. These developments underscore growing bipartisan concern over AI chatbot safety and broader online protections for youth.