Protecting Children While Keeping AI Innovation on Track
As a mother of three children, including a teenager in high school, I see first-hand how today’s rapidly changing technology is shaping the next generation.
Parents are doing their best to guide their children through the challenges posed by social media, smartphones and being constantly connected online, but the pace of change can be overwhelming. As families begin to understand the impact of platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, a new technology has arrived, full of incredible promise and serious risks: artificial intelligence.
AI has the potential to transform our economy, improve healthcare, streamline education, and strengthen national security. But it also raises urgent questions about how we protect children who are often the first adopters of new technologies. One of the fastest growing concerns is the rise of AI chatbot companions. These tools mimic human conversation and, in some cases, human emotions. While they can provide entertainment or even academic assistance, they can also blur the line between reality and simulation, leading vulnerable young people to form unhealthy attachments or encounter inappropriate or even potentially dangerous interactions.
The dangers of such a situation are not theoretical. Reports have shown that some AI chatbots have engaged in conversations with minors that cross serious boundaries, including “sensual” discussions with children as young as 12 and encouragement of self-harm. For parents, this is more than worrying. This is completely unacceptable.
Jonathan Haidt’s book, The anxious generationexplains how constant exposure to technology and the pressures of social media have caused a mental health crisis among young people. It convincingly demonstrates that the combination of smartphones and unregulated online platforms has deprived children of the normal experiences that help them become healthy adults. His research confirms what many parents already feel in their gut: the digital world is reshaping childhood, and not always for the better.
That’s why I’ve made protecting children in the digital age one of my top priorities in Congress. I was proud to be a leader on the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), bipartisan legislation aimed at holding Big Tech accountable and giving parents better tools to protect their children from online exploitation. This bill takes important steps to address the well-documented harms of social media. We continue to push for a comprehensive data privacy and security bill to protect children from dangers online.
But as new technologies emerge, Congress must act with foresight. Last week, I introduced the AI Warnings And Resources for Education (AWARE) Act, the first House bill to address the use of AI chatbot companions by minors. The legislation directs the Federal Trade Commission to create accessible resources for parents, educators and children on how to safely engage with AI. Families will be able to understand how AI chatbots work, the risks they can present, and steps they can take to stay safe.
While parents should be in the driver’s seat when it comes to protecting their children from online dangers, today’s kids are more tech-savvy than ever, and parents shouldn’t feel alone when it comes to navigating the digital world. The government has a role to play in ensuring families are informed and prepared, wary of regulations that would shut down innovation or push it overseas. The AWARE Act strikes this balance: it prepares families to protect their children while allowing AI to develop in a way that benefits society.
Ultimately, protecting children is not a partisan issue. It is a responsibility we share as parents and policy makers. Just as we strap our children into car seats or require safety standards for toys, we need to ensure that the digital tools they use are safe and age-appropriate.
AI is here to stay and it will shape the future our children will inherit. Let’s ensure the future is one where technology serves families, not the other way around. Through thoughtful leadership and a clear commitment to child protection, we can embrace innovation while keeping children safe. This is the mission that drives my work on this issue, and it will remain one of my highest priorities in Congress.
Erin Houchin represents Indiana’s 9th District in the United States House of Representatives and serves on the House Rules, Budget, and Energy and Commerce committees.
