California Ballot Initiative Aims to Protect Kids Using AI Chatbots

California Initiative to Protect Kids Using AI Chatbots

Key Points

  • Common Sense Media and OpenAI merged competing ballot initiatives into the Parents & Kids Safe AI Act
  • The measure requires 874,641 signatures by June 24, 2026 to appear on November’s ballot
  • Would mandate age verification, ban child-targeted ads, and prevent AI systems from simulating romantic relationships with minors
  • Builds on California’s SB 243, which took effect January 1, 2026, requiring chatbots to disclose they’re AI
  • Prompted by tragic cases including California teen Adam Raine, whose parents sued OpenAI after his suicide

Background

California continues leading national efforts to protect children who use AI chatbots after several high-profile tragedies raised alarms. In October 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 243—the nation’s first law requiring companion chatbot operators to implement safety protocols when interacting with minors or users expressing suicidal thoughts (ℹ️ Senator Steve Padilla's Office).

While SB 243 represented progress, child safety advocates argued stronger protections were needed. Common Sense Media initially proposed a comprehensive ballot initiative after Newsom vetoed their more stringent bill. OpenAI then introduced a competing measure largely reflecting existing law—a move critics called manipulative (ℹ️ CalMatters).

What Happened

On January 9, 2026, Common Sense Media and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI announced they would combine forces, merging their competing initiatives into a single ballot measure called the Parents & Kids Safe AI Act (ℹ️ GovTech).

If voters approve the measure in November 2026, it would amend California’s Constitution to require AI chatbot companies to:

  • Use age assurance technology to identify minor users and apply protective filters
  • Undergo independent safety audits and report child safety risks to the California Attorney General
  • Prevent systems from promoting isolation, simulating romantic relationships with kids, or claiming sentience
  • Ban child-targeted advertising and prohibit selling minors’ data without parental consent
  • Give parents tools to monitor children’s AI use and receive alerts about self-harm indicators

Common Sense Media dropped provisions from their original initiative that would have banned smartphones in K-12 schools and prohibited minors from using chatbots capable of sexually explicit conversations (ℹ️ CalMatters).

Why It Matters

“At this pivotal moment for AI, we can’t make the same mistake we did with social media, when companies used our kids as guinea pigs and helped fuel a youth mental health crisis in the U.S. and around the world,” said Common Sense Media founder James Steyer (ℹ️ GovTech).

Common Sense Media research found that seven in ten teens have used companion AI chatbots, with many forming emotional attachments to these systems. The urgency increased following tragic cases like 16-year-old Adam Raine from Orange County, whose parents sued OpenAI, alleging their son was coached by ChatGPT before dying by suicide in 2025 (ℹ️ CalMatters).

Senator Steve Padilla, who authored SB 243, called the merged measure “a significant breakthrough” while noting concerns about amending the state constitution rather than passing legislation, which would make future updates more difficult (ℹ️ CalMatters).

OpenAI’s chief global affairs officer, Chris Lehane, expressed hope the California initiative would serve as a model for other states and federal regulations. “We are at the front end of the intelligence age. Let’s try to get this right,” Lehane stated (ℹ️ GovTech).

What’s Next

Supporters must collect 874,641 verified signatures by June 24, 2026 for the Parents & Kids Safe AI Act to qualify for the November ballot. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber will determine if the initiative meets the threshold by June 25, 2026 (ℹ️ CalMatters).

Meanwhile, Senator Padilla has proposed Senate Bill 867, which would impose a four-year moratorium on toys with AI chatbot capabilities for children under 18, giving regulators time to develop comprehensive safety standards (ℹ️ Senator Steve Padilla's Office).

The Federal Trade Commission announced investigations into seven tech companies regarding potential harms their artificial intelligence chatbots could cause to children and teenagers (ℹ️ CBS8).

Source: GovTech, CalMatters, CBS8, Senator Steve Padilla’s Office—Published on January 26, 2026
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About the Author

Rihab Ahmed is an educator and technology writer passionate about helping students and lifelong learners use AI safely and effectively. Rihab focuses on making complex AI topics accessible to everyone, emphasizing responsible use and digital safety. As someone who understands the student perspective, Rihab writes with clarity and encouragement, showing readers that anyone can navigate AI technology confidently.