The European Union plans to implement regulations that would prohibit chatbots from simulating emotions or interpersonal relationships in interactions with individuals under the age of 18. This initiative is part of the proposed EU Kids Act, introduced on September 17, 2026, which also includes restrictions on minors' access to social media and video-sharing platforms. According to the draft legislation, children under 13 will be barred from using chatbots without parental supervision, and digital platforms must incorporate child-safety measures or face fines of up to 6% of their global revenue.
Under the new rules, chatbots operating within the EU will not be allowed to retain memory of past interactions, as the European Commission is concerned that this could lead to the accumulation of sensitive data from minors and reinforce harmful interaction patterns. The proposed law will also require online social networking sites, video-sharing platforms, and games to avoid automatically activating or promoting the use of AI chatbots, including not prioritizing them in minors' contact lists.
The proposal specifically targets AI companions and general conversational chatbots that the Commission views as posing significant risks to the health, safety, and well-being of minors. Simeon de Brouwer, a policy adviser at the advocacy group European Digital Rights, expressed support for the chatbot measures but questioned why such restrictions should apply only to young people, advocating for broader protections against addictive AI designs.
The European Commission has expressed concerns that dependency on chatbots may adversely affect children's development and their relationships with others. It is also worried about the potential for chatbots to provide harmful advice to minors, particularly regarding mental health and personal development, which could encourage risky behaviors. President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted these issues during a press conference, noting that approximately half of Europeans aged 11 to 25 have discussed personal matters with AI chatbots, according to an Ipsos BVA survey conducted in France, Germany, Sweden, and Ireland.
The Commission has also pointed to the dangers of deepfakes generated by chatbots, which were mentioned by von der Leyen in her recent State of the Union speech. She stated, "We do not have to accept that girls have their photos used for AI-generated sexualized images... Europe has the power to act." While the EU AI Act has mandated that synthetic content be labeled as AI-generated since August 2026, these rules currently apply only to deepfakes created for commercial purposes.
Additionally, the Commission has noted that digital distractions contribute to a decline in basic skills among young people. Research from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development indicates that children who use AI chatbots for schoolwork tend to achieve lower test scores compared to their peers who do not. Concerns regarding cognitive impacts and deskilling highlight the need for children's rights to be considered in the design of generative AI tools, according to a report from the independent network EU Kids Online.