US FTC Investigates AI Chatbots' Impact on Children, Teens

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched a comprehensive inquiry into seven major tech companies, including Alphabet, Meta, OpenAI, and Character.AI, to evaluate the safety of AI chatbots that act as companions for children and teenagers. This investigation seeks to understand the companies' efforts to mitigate risks, limit usage by minors, and inform parents about potential harms, especially after lawsuits linked chatbots to tragic suicides and emotional abuse of teens. In parallel, California is poised to become the first state to enact legislation (SB 243) regulating AI companion chatbots, mandating safety protocols and legal accountability for companies if their products fail to protect young users. The FTC emphasizes the evolving nature of AI chatbots that mimic human emotions and intentions, raising concerns about minors forming trusting relationships with these technologies. Both OpenAI and Meta have recently implemented new safety features, such as parental controls and restrictions on chatbot interactions regarding sensitive topics like suicide. These federal and state actions reflect growing public and legislative pressure to ensure ethical AI development that safeguards vulnerable youth while fostering innovation.