RAINN-ENDORSED GUARD ACT TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM AI CHATBOTS INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS
RAINN introduces the GUARD Act, a bill to protect children from AI chatbots, at a press conference hosted by Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal.
Tuesday, October 28
Today, Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), introduced the RAINN-endorsed Guidelines for User Age-verification and Responsible Dialogue (GUARD) Act.
The GUARD Act addresses how artificial intelligence (AI) companions and chatbots can mimic empathy, affection, and trust, eroding healthy boundaries and exposing children to sexualized behavior, explicit dialogue, or simulated relationships that normalize exploitation.
Introducing the legislation, Senator Hawley said, “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 Blumenthal added that the “legislation imposes strict safeguards against exploitative or manipulative AI, backed by tough enforcement with criminal and civil penalties. Big Tech has betrayed any claim that we should trust companies to do the right thing on their own when they consistently put profit first ahead of child safety.”
The GUARD ACT would require that AI companies take three critical actions:
- Check users’ ages before allowing them to access chatbots
- Prohibit minors from using AI companions that simulate romantic or emotional attachment
- Include clear disclosures that users are interacting with a machine, not a human being or licensed professional
GUARD would also make it illegal to design or distribute AI systems that solicit sexual content from minors or encourage violence, self-harm, or coercive behavior.
“Right now, children are allowed, and even encouraged, by tech companies to engage with AI chatbots that are mimicking affection, manipulating them, and making them vulnerable to predators on and offline,” said RAINN Vice President of Public Policy. “The GUARD Act will finally ensure tech companies prioritize kids’ safety instead of profits. We shouldn’t need a federal law to prevent a computer from having a sexual relationship with a child… But here we are.”
If you are covering this legislation, AI or tech-enabled sexual abuse, please note that RAINN’s Vice President of Public Policy Stefan Turkheimer, and Director of Federal Affairs Karrie Delaney are available for comment and interview on this topic.
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About RAINN
RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, help organizations improve their sexual assault prevention and response programs, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and en Español is available. Call 800.656.HOPE (4673), chat at RAINN.org/hotline, or text “HOPE” to 64673.
Media Contact:
Isha Raj-Silverman
media@rainn.org