Hawley introduces bill to protect kids from AI chatbots
WASHINGTON — Today, Missouri U.S. Senator Josh Hawley held a press conference introducing bipartisan legislation to protect children from AI chatbots, the GUARD Act. This legislation would ban AI companions for minors, mandate AI chatbots disclose its non-human status, and create new crimes for companies who make AI for minors that solicits or produces sexual content.
In attendance at the press conference were parents whose children tragically committed suicide or self-harm at the direct prompting of AI chatbots, as well as supporting advocates and organizations.
Big Tech’s pursuit of profit is destroying our children.
I’m introducing legislation to protect America’s children online pic.twitter.com/PaZ6gW19fU
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 28, 2025
“AI chatbots pose a serious threat to our kids. More than seventy percent of American children are now using these AI products. Chatbots develop relationships with kids using fake empathy and are encouraging suicide. We in Congress have a moral duty to enact bright-line rules to prevent further harm from this new technology,” Senator Hawley said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with tremendous support from parents and survivors that will ensure our kids are protected online.”
The GUARD Act would:
- Ban AI companies from providing AI companions to minors.
- Mandate that AI companions disclose their non-human status and lack of professional credentials for all users
- Create new crimes for companies which knowingly make available to minors AI companions that solicit or produce sexual contentRead the GUARD Act here.