AI companions and child safety
The rise of AI chatbots as emotional companions for children has raised significant safety concerns, prompting calls for stricter regulation in India. The article references the U.S. 'Adam's Law' as a potential model for safeguarding minors against harmful AI interactions.
Why it matters
As AI becomes deeply integrated into daily life, the lack of comprehensive legal frameworks for child safety in digital environments poses a growing psychological risk.
T raditionally, a child in distress has usually turned to a parent, friend or a counsellor. However, in today’s world, that confidant is increasingly becoming an AI chatbot. Such AI companions are quietly finding a place in children’s emotional lives because, unlike parents and friends, these apps are available at all times of the day, appear empathetic, and are endlessly responsive. But who assumes responsibility when that relationship turns harmful? As AI becomes an emotional confidant for children, India’s regulatory framework must confront the growing risks of AI companionship.
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