OpenAI's Involvement in Child Safety Legislation Sparks Controversy

In mid-March 2026, the Parents & Kids Safe AI Coalition, funded entirely by OpenAI, reached out to child safety organizations across the United States, seeking endorsements for its policy priorities. These priorities included age verification, parental controls, and restrictions on targeted advertising toward children. The coalition aims to influence legislation in California regarding AI safety for children, aligning with a child safety bill co-sponsored by OpenAI. However, many organizations were unaware of OpenAI's financial backing and involvement in the coalition, leading to concerns about transparency and intentions.

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Some leaders of child advocacy groups expressed discomfort upon learning of OpenAI's role. One nonprofit leader described the situation as "grim," indicating feelings of being misled by the coalition's outreach. In response to inquiries, OpenAI's Vice President of Global Policy, Ann O’Leary, stated that the coalition is committed to advocating for robust child AI safety laws. Despite this, several child safety organizations declined to join the coalition, citing concerns over OpenAI's influence.

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Josh Golin, executive director of FairPlay, articulated a desire for OpenAI to withdraw from policy discussions, emphasizing that child safety advocates should lead the legislative process. He expressed concern that OpenAI should not dictate the rules governing its interactions with children. OpenAI has faced scrutiny over its products, particularly ChatGPT, which is implicated in multiple lawsuits related to user safety, including a tragic case involving a 16-year-old boy's suicide.

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In the broader context, over 20 states proposed legislation to regulate children's use of AI in 2025, with a federal bill advancing through Congress. OpenAI has actively opposed various child safety initiatives, including a state bill that would have imposed strict regulations on children's access to AI chatbots. After the bill was vetoed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, OpenAI introduced a competing ballot initiative in response to a stronger proposal from Common Sense Media.

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In a surprising turn, OpenAI and Common Sense Media announced a partnership to develop the Parents & Kids Safe AI Act, with OpenAI pledging $10 million to support the initiative. However, this collaboration faced backlash from child safety advocates, who raised concerns that the proposed legislation could shield AI companies from liability and weaken age verification processes.

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Following discussions among advocacy groups, OpenAI and Common Sense decided to pause the ballot campaign and negotiate with the California Legislature for a solution. They indicated that if legislative efforts do not yield satisfactory results, they may revive the initiative in 2028. Meanwhile, new California regulations are being proposed to govern children's interactions with AI chatbots, reflecting ongoing tensions between industry interests and child safety advocacy.

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• “I want them to get out of the way and let advocates and parents and public health professionals whose charge is the well-being of children pass the legislation they think is best for kids,” — Josh Golin, Executive Director of FairPlay

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• “To find out they’re trying to sneak around behind the scenes and do something like this — I don’t want to say they’re outright lying, but they’re sending emails that are pretty misleading.” — Anonymous Nonprofit Leader

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There are discrepancies regarding the level of awareness among coalition members about OpenAI's involvement. While some leaders claim they were unaware, others have indicated that the coalition's communications did mention OpenAI's role, albeit in a less prominent manner. The full implications of the proposed legislation on child safety remain contested among various advocacy groups.

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