Australia proposes law against AI chatbots' 'emotional intimacy' with children
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese justified the bill in a Tuesday evening speech; it would ban AI chatbots from forming emotional intimacy with children. The proposal does not cover adults, and the effectiveness of the new 'digital duty of care' is debated (26–28 October 2026).
Who is affected and how
- education policymaker
- The Australian approach is another model for regulating AI companions for children.
- edtech company
- Chatbots aimed at children will have to avoid emotional intimacy if the law is passed.
- parent
- The planned rule would specifically restrict emotional relationships between children and chatbots.
Sources
- Australia moves to ban AI chatbots from ‘emotional intimacy’ with childrenthenextweb.com · Oct 28, 2026
- ‘Emotional intimacy’ from AI chatbots would be banned under Australia’s digital duty of care laws | Australian politics | The Guardiantheguardian.com · Oct 28, 2026
- There are risks when children use AI chatbots. Does Australia’s new ‘digital duty of care’ address them?the conversation · Oct 26, 2026
- There are risks when children use AI chatbots. Does…inkl.com · Oct 26, 2026
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