The Tech Download: Teen social media bans miss a key part of the puzzle: AI chatbots (www.cnbc.com)

Recent global efforts to restrict teenagers' access to social media have overlooked a growing concern: their increasing reliance on AI chatbots. As countries like Australia and the U.K. enact bans aimed at safeguarding youth online, digital safety experts have highlighted a glaring legislative gap regarding the regulation of AI technologies. Nearly half of U.S. teens are now using chatbots such as ChatGPT for various purposes, including schoolwork and companionship, raising alarms about potential emotional dependency and cognitive impacts reminiscent of past issues with social media. Experts warn that governments are repeating mistakes from previous social media regulations by failing to adequately address the risks presented by unregulated AI chatbots. Current legislation, such as the U.K.'s ban on under-18s interacting with certain "romantic companion" chatbots, is deemed insufficient as it largely ignores broader implications like fostering social dependency and cognitive skills degradation. The urgency for comprehensive regulations that prioritize child safety alongside AI innovation is clear, as the ongoing investment in AI development continues to overshadow the pressing need for protective measures against its emerging dangers.