Chatbots that act like a teenager’s best friend or romantic partner are about to be banned for minors in New York. The state is taking one of the most aggressive steps yet to protect young people from artificial intelligence.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, barring companies from offering AI chatbots with certain companion features to users under 18.
What does the law ban for AI chatbots?
The law outlines about a dozen unsafe companion features that are prohibited when a chatbot interacts with a minor. Chatbots cannot suggest they are a real or fictional human, are alive or experience human emotions.
They also cannot use flattery to win users over, endorse suicide or drug use, encourage children to pull away from trusted adults or engage in sexually explicit conversations.
Chatbots may not keep sensitive information about a minor’s emotional or physical health or discourage children from seeking help from licensed professionals. The rules also ban features designed to build emotional dependency.
The law also requires operators of AI chatbots to verify the ages of users, according to reports. It takes effect in January. The law does not ban children from using chatbots outright. It targets the features lawmakers consider most dangerous.
What did Kathy Hochul say?
At the signing ceremony, Hochul said minors will no longer have access to chatbots that pretend to be their friends, boyfriends or girlfriends.
She added that she was not sure why a law was needed against something so obvious, but that chatbots will no longer be allowed to encourage thoughts of suicide in any way. Hochul also signed a separate law requiring stronger security and clearer warnings on baby monitors that connect to the internet.
How will the law be enforced?
The law allows New York Attorney General Letitia James to sue companies that violate it. She can seek money from chatbot operators and the destruction of data that was obtained illegally.
James said her office will not hesitate to defend New Yorkers with the full force of the law. James has taken on major tech companies in the past over consumer protection issues.
Why are states targeting AI chatbots?
AI companions and AI chatbots have become common among teenagers, and child safety advocates warn they can foster emotional dependency and expose young users to harmful content.
Several families have sued AI companies, alleging that chatbots played a role in their children’s deaths, cases that have drawn national attention. AI companies have said they are adding safety features and parental controls.
California and other states have passed their own rules on AI chatbots, but New York’s law is among the broadest in the country. The bill passed both chambers of the Legislature with unanimous, bipartisan support.
A children’s advocacy group that helped write the bill called it a landmark, saying the features it bans are dangerous and even deadly for kids and teens. The group has published research showing widespread chatbot use among teens.
What do critics say?
A tech industry group in New York criticized the law’s vague language. Major AI companies did not immediately comment. The group argued the law’s wording could make it hard for companies to know how to comply.
Critics of similar laws have also raised concerns about privacy and free speech, especially around verifying the ages of people using AI chatbots.
With the law set to take effect in January, companies offering AI chatbots in New York will need to change how their products interact with young users.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
