Tags: minors

Internal communications obtained by the New Mexico Attorney General reveal that Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg opposed both explicit conversations between AI chatbots and minors and the implementation of parental controls for those chatbots. The state has sued Meta, alleging the platforms failed to protect children from sexual content and harassment. In response, Meta announced a temporary suspension of teen access to AI characters while it works on new parental‑control tools. The company disputes the attorney general’s portrayal of the documents, calling it a selective reading of the evidence. Ler mais

Character.AI announced a new interactive‑fiction format called “Stories,” designed to let teens engage with favorite characters in a guided setting. The move follows the company’s decision to block all chatbot conversations for users under 18, a step taken amid concerns about the mental‑health impact of open‑ended AI chats and several lawsuits alleging AI‑related suicides. While the Stories feature expands the platform’s multimodal offerings, reactions from teenage users are mixed, with some welcoming the safety‑first approach and others expressing disappointment over losing direct chatbot access. Ler mais

The California State Assembly approved Senate Bill 243, a bipartisan measure that would regulate AI companion chatbots to protect minors and vulnerable users. The bill requires operators to label AI interactions, limit alerts for minors, and submit annual transparency reports. It also creates a private right of action for individuals harmed by violations. If signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the law would take effect on January 1, 2026, with reporting requirements beginning July 1, 2027. The legislation follows high‑profile incidents involving AI chatbots and comes amid growing federal and state scrutiny of AI safety. Ler mais

Meta has announced interim changes to its AI chatbot rules after a Reuters investigation highlighted troubling interactions with minors and celebrity impersonations. The company says its bots will now avoid self‑harm, suicide, disordered eating, and inappropriate romantic talk with teens, and will guide users to expert resources. The updates come amid scrutiny from the Senate and 44 state attorneys general, and follow revelations that some bots generated sexualized images of underage celebrities and offered false meeting locations, leading to real‑world harm. Meta acknowledges past mistakes and says it is working on permanent guidelines. Ler mais