"That is why we cannot tell states to stand down from protecting their kids, especially when we need Congress to put standards in place," Cantwell says"

[OPENING REMARKS VIDEO] [Q&A VIDEO]

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, elicited testimony from experts at today's hearing on children's screen time that AI, particularly companion apps, pose an even greater risk to children than social media. The Committee heard from Dr. Jenny Radesky, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Dr. Jean Twenge, Professor of Psychology, San Diego State University, Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, Director, LME Global, and Ms. Emily Cherkin, Author and Founder of The Screentime Consultant.

"We need meaningful safeguards on AI to address the harms they cause," said Sen. Cantwell. "That is why we cannot tell states to stand down from protecting their kids, especially when we need Congress to put standards in place. Over the last decade, Congress has failed to act on social media becoming more pervasive to harm kids. We cannot make the same mistake now that AI is becoming more pervasive. We need to address online and AI harms before it's too late, particularly for kids."

All experts agreed with Sen. Cantwell that Congress needs to act as soon as possible to protect kids from the dangers of AI, and particularly AI companions that engage with younger children who form emotional bonds. Several of the witnesses said that AI companions pose a greater threat to kids' emotional development than social media.

"We don't, of course, have as much research on AI because it is so new," said Dr. Twenge. "But as a parent and as a researcher, I'm even more concerned about the AI companion apps than I am about social media. It is terrifying to think that our kids are having their first relationships with these psychophantic chatbots. How is that going to translate to real human relationships?"

"Yes, we need regulations," agreed Dr. Radesky. "My biggest concern is attachment and relationships. Kids are wired to want to attach to other humans. It's how they learn their sense of self, what a healthy relationship feels like. And the AI companions are exploiting this."

Children are showing troubling beliefs around AI chatbots incorporated into toys, including that kids think these products can think and have feelings and be their friends. Earlier today, Sen. Cantwell joined Sen. Amy Klobuchar in a letter to the Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding the safety of integration of AI into children's toys.

In the absence of federal legislation, Sen. Cantwell has been a leader in opposing proposed moratoriums on state laws and regulations protecting consumers and children from the harms caused by AI. She asked Dr. Radesky what the state of Michigan is doing to protect their children.

"[M]ichigan just introduced a companion chatbot bill that is restricting the use of companion chatbots that have the potential to encourage self-harm, suicidality, violence, drugs, alcohol or eating disorders," said Dr. Radesky. "They're restricting AI chatbots from providing mental health therapy, suggesting illegal activities, producing CSAM [Child Sexual Abuse Material], engaging in erotic or sexual interactions with youth -- which is a big engagement way that chatbots have been trying to get more users. And limits on optimizing for engagement. And I think it's important that states be able to pass AI bills."

"I think we need to be very loud and clear that the federal government needs to do something on AI," concluded Sen. Cantwell. "That you here are telling us the problem with social media, but you're basically saying AI is way worse. So it's time to step up."

In July, Sen. Cantwell led the fight to strip a ten-year moratorium on state AI laws and regulations from the Republican budget reconciliation bill, and on July 1 the provision was removed by a vote of 99-1. On June 6, after Commerce Secretary Lutnick released "new guidance" on the BEAD program delaying state broadband deployment, Cantwell called the move a "one-two punch" when combined with the AI moratorium. On June 11. On June 18, the Senator held a virtual roundtable with Sen. Blackburn and the Attorneys General of Washington and Tennessee to discuss how the 10-year AI moratorium would leave consumers vulnerable to AI-powered harms.

On June 25, Sen. Cantwell criticized new reconciliation bill language that continued to hold $42 billion in BEAD funding hostage unless states agreed to forgo enactment and enforcement of state AI laws. On June 27 and June 28, Sen. Cantwell's office released statements and letters signed by hundreds of organizations and elected officials expressing their opposition to the AI moratorium. On June 29, Sen. Cantwell took to the Senate Floor to underscore the dangers of the Republican budget reconciliation, including the moratorium. On June 30, she introduced an amendment with Sen. Edward Markey to strip the entire provision prior to introducing the same amendment with Sen. Blackburn.

Video of Sen. Cantwell's opening remarks is here and her Q&A is here. A full transcript is available here.

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