In today’s world, children are interacting not just with their peers from school or the neighborhood but increasingly with digital entities.

From AI-driven chatbots that simulate the presence of classmates to applications providing assistance with homework late into the night, artificial intelligence is becoming an integral aspect of modern childhood. Experts warn that this trend is evolving more rapidly than many parents might anticipate.

“The pace of this change is astonishing,” remarked Oliver Roberts, a law professor at Washington University School of Law. “The phenomenon of children using AI chatbots as companions has become widespread. Approximately 72% of youngsters engage with these technologies. It’s crucial for parents to scrutinize the tech their kids are interacting with and understand its impact.”

This concern has resonated with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. In response, Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn has played a key role in reintroducing the Kids Online Safety Act this year. The proposed legislation seeks to ensure platforms utilizing artificial intelligence are held to a “duty of care” standard when dealing with minors, establishing clearer boundaries on the content AI systems can present to young users.

“Senator Blackburn has been leading the charge on these critical matters here in Tennessee,” Roberts noted. “The act aims to implement protective measures, block explicit content, and inform parents of potentially concerning interactions.”

Earlier this year, 44 state attorneys general, including Tennessee’s representative, reached out to major tech companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft. Their letters urged these corporations to tackle the rising threat of harmful or inappropriate AI content targeting children.

In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed new legislation last week to tighten online protections for minors. The law requires AI platforms to disclose when users are interacting with artificial intelligence.

“These provisions include a disclosure requirement, so users know the system is AI,” Roberts said. “They also restrict AI from disseminating sexually harmful or suicidal content, and they mandate annual reports to state authorities. The question now is whether Tennessee will follow a similar path or if the federal government will step in with a one-size-fits-all policy.”

Blackburn’s bill is still making its way through Congress, but supporters hope it sets the stage for a new era of online accountability, especially when AI is in the room with kids.