Full Breakdown
New York Enacts Landmark Laws Restricting AI Chatbots for Minors and Securing Baby Monitors
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Legislation Details
On Oct 28, Governor Kathy Hochul signed two statutes that impose the nation’s toughest safeguards for children interacting with artificial-intelligence (AI) chatbots and with internet-connected baby monitors.
- AI-Chatbot Safeguard (S.9051B/A.10379C) – Effective June 1 2027, the law bars companies from offering any “harmful features” to users under 18 unless the user’s age is verified. Prohibited features include:
- Pretending to be a real person, to be alive, or to have human emotions.
- Claiming a personal, romantic, professional, or authority-figure relationship with a child.
- Asking unprompted emotional questions, using a child’s prior health data, or offering flattery designed to keep a child engaged.
- Promoting or assisting suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, drug or alcohol use, or providing sexually explicit content.
- Encouraging secrecy, isolation, or avoidance of parents or professionals.
- Framing responses as a “personal opinion.”
Companies must verify ages through at least two methods, one of which cannot rely solely on a government ID, and must delete verification data after use. The law exempts basic customer-service bots, technical research tools, and internal workplace software.
- Baby-Monitor Security Act (S.9508/A.5175A) – Effective Jan 26 (90 days after signing), the measure requires all new internet-connected audio or video baby monitors sold in the state to include anti-hacking security features and to carry a clear warning label about internet connectivity. First-offense fines start at $250; repeat offenses incur $500 penalties.
Both statutes grant Attorney General Letitia James authority to sue violators for up to $25,000 per violation, seek restitution, damages, and court orders to destroy unlawfully collected data and any AI models trained on that data.
02
Background & Context
Rapid adoption of AI companions among adolescents has prompted safety concerns. A Common Sense Media survey found 72 % of teens have used an AI companion, with 52 % interacting regularly. The attorney general’s briefing reported 67 % of children aged 9-17 use AI chatbots, and 20 % would struggle to go a month without them.
State officials have linked AI-driven interactions to 22 deaths, attempted suicides, or attacks involving minors across North America, forming part of the justification for the new safeguards.
03
Official Statements & Responses
Attorney General Letitia James warned the state will pursue civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation and described the law as establishing “clear legal parameters” to prevent chatbot-related harm.
OpenAI and Anthropic did not respond to requests for comment.
04
Criticism & Opposition
Tech:NYC’s statement represents organized industry opposition, noting that the broad prohibitions could impede legitimate educational and career-development tools for minors.
05
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The two usage statistics—72 % and 67 %—differ, reflecting a lack of consensus on AI chatbot penetration among youth. While the attorney general cited 22 serious incidents, the timeline and demographic breakdown of those cases remain unspecified.
06
What’s Next
The chatbot restrictions become enforceable on June 1 2027, giving companies a transition period to implement age-verification systems and remove prohibited features. The baby-monitor security requirements take effect Jan 26, after which manufacturers must comply or face fines.
State legislators have introduced additional proposals, including a ban on AI-chatbot toys for children 12 and younger and a “72-Hour Search Warrant Act” that would compel platforms with large teen user bases to provide user data to law enforcement within three days. Governor Hochul indicated she will work with lawmakers on further AI-related measures in the upcoming legislative session.