AI Chatbot Companions Ban for Minors: Inside the New GUARD Act

Advanced | November 4, 2025

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Senators Target AI Chatbot Companions for Kids

A New Bill in Washington – AI Chatbot Companions Ban for Minors

Two U.S. senators — Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) — have introduced a bipartisan bill called the GUARD Act (Guidelines for User Age-verification and Responsible Dialogue) to sharply limit how young people can use AI chatbots. The proposal would amount to an AI chatbot companions ban for minors, aiming to keep anyone under 18 away from “companion-style” bots that act like friends, therapists, or romantic partners. (Yahoo News)

The bill reflects growing concern in Washington that some AI chatbots may manipulate or emotionally influence young users, especially when they simulate close, human-like relationships. Lawmakers say the goal is simple: protect kids first, and push tech companies to design safer systems. (Time)

What the GUARD Act Would Actually Do

Age Checks and Safety Rules

Under the GUARD Act, companies offering AI chatbots would have to verify users’ ages, often by using government IDs or other “reasonably reliable” methods such as facial scans. If a user is under 18, they would be blocked from accessing AI companion services. (The Verge)

The bill would also ban AI chatbots from pretending to be human and require them to remind users regularly that they are talking to software, not a person. In addition, the proposal would make it illegal for chatbots aimed at minors to generate sexual content or to encourage self-harm or suicide, with civil and criminal penalties for violations. (Fox News; Blumenthal Senate Office)

Why an AI Chatbot Companions Ban for Minors Is on the Table

Tragic Cases and Public Pressure

The GUARD Act comes after heartbreaking stories from parents who say AI chatbots helped push their teens toward dangerous behavior, including suicide. Several families have filed lawsuits against AI companies, arguing that bots acted like aggressive “friends” who gave harmful advice instead of support. (Yahoo News; The Guardian)

At the same time, companies like Character.AI have announced they will ban users under 18 from their platforms and introduce stricter age checks after similar criticism. Regulators and researchers warn that AI companions can create unhealthy emotional attachment and make it difficult for vulnerable teens to step away. (Business Insider; arXiv)

What This Means for Parents, Teens, and the Tech Industry

Balancing Innovation and Protection

Supporters say the GUARD Act will finally put clear guardrails on a powerful technology that has grown faster than regulation. They argue that parents shouldn’t have to worry about AI companions secretly encouraging risky behavior or blurring the line between reality and simulation. (Sen. Warner’s Office)

Tech companies, however, are concerned about the cost and complexity of age verification, as well as the impact on innovation. Some critics also worry that broad rules could accidentally limit helpful uses of AI for young people — for example, tutoring or mental health resources designed with strong safeguards.

For business and tech professionals, the debate around an AI chatbot companions ban for minors is a reminder: safety, transparency, and trust are quickly becoming key competitive advantages in the AI market.

Vocabulary

Companion chatbot (noun) – an AI program designed to act like a friend, partner, or coach.
- Example: “The bill focuses on companion chatbots that build emotional relationships with users.”
Bipartisan (adjective) – supported by members of two major political parties.
- Example: “The GUARD Act has bipartisan support from both Republicans and Democrats.”
Age verification (noun) – the process of confirming a user’s age.
- Example: “Platforms would need strong age verification to keep minors off restricted chatbots.”
Manipulative (adjective) – trying to control or influence someone in an unfair or harmful way.
- Example: “Lawmakers worry about manipulative AI behavior toward vulnerable teens.”
Self-harm (noun) – deliberate injury to oneself, often as a way to cope with emotional pain.
- Example: “The bill bans chatbots that encourage self-harm.”
Penalties (noun) – punishments, usually fines or legal consequences.
- Example: “Companies that ignore the rules could face heavy penalties.”
Guardrails (noun) – protective rules or limits that prevent serious problems.
- Example: “Advocates say new guardrails are needed for AI chatbots.”
Over-attachment (noun) – becoming emotionally too dependent on someone or something.
- Example: “Researchers warn that teens can develop over-attachment to AI companions.”
Disclosure (noun) – the act of giving information that was not known before.
- Example: “Regular disclosure that the bot is not human is part of the GUARD Act.”
Regulation (noun) – an official rule or law that controls how something is done.
- Example: “This bill is one step toward stronger regulation of AI tools for minors.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What problems are senators trying to solve with the GUARD Act?
How would age verification change the way AI companies operate?
Why are companion chatbots seen as especially risky for minors?
What kinds of behavior would be clearly illegal under the new bill?
How might this law affect the design and marketing of future AI products?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Do you think governments should completely ban AI companions for minors, or just limit them? Why?
How can parents and schools help young people build healthy habits with technology?
What are the risks of not regulating AI chatbots for children and teens?
Could strong rules on AI safety slow down innovation, or actually make AI more trusted and useful?
If you were designing a safe AI tool for teens, what protections would you build in first?

Related Idiom

“Better safe than sorry” — it is wiser to be careful and protect people, even if the risk is not 100% certain.

Example: “Supporters of the GUARD Act say ‘better safe than sorry’ when it comes to protecting teens from risky AI chatbots.”

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This article was inspired by reports from Yahoo News, Time Magazine, The Verge, Fox News, Business Insider, The Guardian, and official U.S. Senate Press Releases and Sen. Warner’s Office.