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Bill

H 5476

Protecting Children from Chatbots

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brandon Guffey

South Carolina proposes restricting chatbot interactions with minors to protect children from harmful AI-generated content and exploitation.

Referred to Committee on Judiciary
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 5476

Legislative bill overview

H 5476 would establish restrictions on how chatbots and artificial intelligence systems can interact with minors in South Carolina. The bill aims to protect children from potentially harmful AI-generated content and exploitative uses of chatbot technology. Specific regulatory mechanisms and enforcement provisions would be determined through the committee process.

Why is this important

Children represent a vulnerable population with limited ability to distinguish AI-generated content from human interaction or recognize manipulation. As chatbot technology becomes increasingly prevalent in educational tools, social media, and entertainment, regulatory frameworks may prevent predatory behavior, inappropriate content exposure, and psychological manipulation of minors.

Potential points of contention

  • Defining scope: Determining what constitutes a "chatbot" and which AI applications fall under regulation (educational tools, parental control apps, social media filters, gaming NPCs) could significantly impact technology companies and startups
  • Free speech implications: Restrictions on AI-generated content for minors may conflict with First Amendment protections and parental rights to choose their children's media exposure
  • Technical feasibility: Enforcing age verification and content filtering for online chatbots presents practical challenges, particularly given interstate and international digital commerce
  • Innovation concerns: Overly restrictive regulations could disadvantage South Carolina-based tech companies or push development to other jurisdictions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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