Grassroots Action Center
The Situation
The Children’s Health, Advancement, Trust, Boundaries, and Oversight in Technology (CHATBOT) Act, introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Brian Schatz (D-HI), aims to establish critical safeguards for minors interacting with artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots.
Reports have raised serious concerns about the risk posed to young users, including instances where AI chatbots have allegedly encouraged self-harm, fostered unhealthy emotional dependency, and exposed minors to sexually explicit or otherwise inappropriate content. As AI tools become more accessible, some individuals are turning to chatbots as substitutes for professional mental health care, but this technology lacks the clinical training, ethical standards, and accountability required to ensure safe and effective treatment.
The CHATBOT Act addresses these risks by:
- requiring family accounts for children under 13 with parental oversight.
- setting strong default safeguards, including disabling addictive features, limiting notifications, and requiring clear AI disclosure.
- implementing time and memory limits to prevent unhealthy interactions.
- giving parents tools to monitor and manage chatbot use.
- requiring parental consent before minors can create accounts.
- prohibiting targeted advertising using minors’ data.
- directing the National Science Foundation and Government Accountability Office to study impacts and ensure accountability.
Together, these provisions aim to reduce harm, increase transparency, and ensure that AI technologies are developed and used responsibly—especially for young people.
What This Means for Mental Health Counselors
Mental Health Counselors are highly trained professionals equipped to provide ethical, evidence-based care. AI, although a powerful tool, cannot replace the human connection, clinical judgment, and duty of care that Counselors provide.
The CHATBOT Act reinforces the importance of protecting minors from harmful AI interactions and helps ensure that technology does not replace qualified mental health professionals. By establishing safeguards, this legislation supports both client safety and the integrity of the Counseling profession.
Call to Action
Mental Health Counselors and advocates play a vital role in protecting the welfare of young people. Contact your members of Congress and urge them to support the CHATBOT Act to ensure appropriate protections are in place for minors engaging with AI technologies.
