NY AG Enforces New Law Limiting AI Chatbot Talks With Kids

NY Attorney General actively enforcing AI chatbot limits on minors under new state law.

On October 28, 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law that places strict limits on AI chatbots when interacting with minors under the age of 18. The law, set to take effect January 1, 2027, aims to protect children from potentially harmful and misleading chatbot conversations.

Under the legislation, AI chatbots are prohibited from suggesting they are alive or can experience human emotions in chats with minors. They also cannot engage in flattery or sycophantic interactions, nor can they endorse or facilitate self-harm, eating disorders, or unlawful drug and alcohol use. This move targets the growing concern that chatbots might influence vulnerable children in dangerous ways.

The law mandates AI companies implement robust age verification methods, including at least one option that does not solely rely on government-issued IDs. Furthermore, age information collected must be deleted after verification to protect privacy. Failure to comply can result in civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, which the New York Attorney General, Letitia James, will actively enforce.

State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, who co-sponsored the law, emphasized the growing presence of generative AI in daily life and the need to safeguard children: "We have a responsibility to make sure innovation doesn’t come at the expense of New Yorkers’ safety, especially our kids." Governor Hochul also condemned chatbots that "encourage self-harm or pretend to be their friend or more."

The legislation was developed collaboratively with Attorney General James and Common Sense Media, reflecting bipartisan support with unanimous passage in the New York State Senate and Assembly earlier in 2026.

This law positions New York at the forefront of regulating AI chatbot interactions with children, setting a precedent that could influence broader AI safety and compliance standards across the U.S.