Issue Overview
Children interacting with AI chatbots has raised safety concerns. Lawmakers are pushing for ways to confirm a user’s age before allowing full access.
Policy Landscape
Several states have introduced bills that would force online services to check ages for adult content. California is targeting AI services specifically, while other states focus on broader age‑verification rules. Federal action is also expected, with the FTC planning a workshop on the topic.
Technical Approaches
Companies are testing two main methods:
- Automatic age prediction models that infer age from usage patterns.
- Identity verification using selfies or government IDs, often handled by third‑party services.
Both approaches have trade‑offs in accuracy and user experience.
Privacy and Bias Concerns
Verification systems that store photos or IDs create large data stores that could be targeted in breaches. Studies show higher error rates for people of color and those with disabilities when using selfie checks.
Potential Direction
Some experts suggest keeping age data on the device and sharing it securely with apps, reducing the need for centralized databases. Industry leaders are lobbying for rules that limit liability for platforms while still protecting minors.