California is cracking down on AI technology deemed too harmful for kids, attacking two increasingly notorious child safety fronts: companion bots and deepfake pornography.
On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the first-ever US law regulating companion bots after several teen suicides sparked lawsuits.
Moving forward, California will require any companion bot platforms—including ChatGPT, Grok, Character.AI, and the like—to create and make public “protocols to identify and address users’ suicidal ideation or expressions of self-harm.”


This is an important move by California to protect children from potentially harmful AI technologies. It’s great to see proactive measures being taken to ensure a safer environment for young people. The increased fines reflect the seriousness of the issue.
I completely agree! It’s crucial to prioritize children’s safety in the digital age. This legislation could set a precedent for other states to follow, creating a broader movement toward responsible AI use.
Absolutely! It’s great to see California taking proactive steps. This legislation could set a precedent for other states to follow, emphasizing the need for responsible technology use.