Australia's House of Representatives passed a bill to protect children from emotional dependence on chatbots, requiring tech firms to implement safety measures.
The Australian House of Representatives has approved legislation aimed at preventing minors from developing emotional dependencies on chatbots. The proposal is part of a broader Digital Duty of Care bill introduced by the government on October 15.
Proposed by Independent MP Kate Chaney, the amendment specifically addresses concerns over digital services that simulate personal relationships, potentially encouraging children to prioritize interactions with bots over those with real people.
This initiative does not seek to ban affection towards AI but mandates that tech companies implement measures to safeguard children from associated risks. The legislation targets users under 18 years old, although the exact technical approaches for monitoring chatbot behavior have not yet been established.
New Responsibilities for Technology Firms
The bill sets uniform safety standards across digital platforms, including social media, gaming, apps, and chatbots. Companies will be required to assess risks related to their products and take effective actions to shield users from harmful features.
Additionally, the regulations will cover content promoting eating disorders, dangerous behaviors, crimes, and hostility towards women and gender equality. Platforms will also need to address addictive mechanisms that can disrupt children's sleep.
Violations of these safety requirements could result in fines of up to 109.2 million Australian dollars. Other stipulations will allow users over 16 to opt out of recommendation algorithms in favor of subscription feeds, while the eSafety regulator's powers are set to expand. The response time for addressing cyberbullying complaints will also decrease from 48 to 24 hours.
A Call to Action
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his support for the bill prior to the vote, describing stories of individuals considering chatbots their best friends as a significant warning that should compel parliamentary action.
He asserted that digital platforms must be held accountable for the safety of their products, similar to traditional consumer goods manufacturers. The proposal has faced opposition, with some parties arguing it could lead to excessive interference in online interactions and potential censorship.
Communications Minister Anika Wells refuted these claims, emphasizing the reform's aim to prevent significant harm. The Greens party supported the initiative but called for stricter accountability from tech companies, including allowing citizens to file lawsuits against platforms and enhancing penalties.
Independent MP Sophie Scamps advocated for an external review mechanism for social media and AI services complaints, but her amendment was not accepted in the lower house. The bill will now proceed to the Senate, where a committee will present its findings on November 20. Authorities aim to finalize the law by the end of 2026, with major safety requirements set to take effect 12 months after receiving royal assent.
Earlier in October, Common Sense Media labeled a teenage version of ChatGPT as an "unacceptable risk," highlighting flaws in parental controls and crisis response handling. Experts have expressed concern about chatbots' abilities to mimic emotions, which may foster emotional dependence in minors.
