Meta Issues New AI Rules to Block Chatbots Flirting With Minors
Meta has introduced strict new AI policies to prevent its chatbots from engaging in flirtatious or romantic conversations with minors. This move comes after a public and regulatory backlash sparked by leaked internal documents revealing that Meta’s AI bots were permitted to hold sensual dialogues with children as young as eight years old. The tech giant is now focused on implementing age-safe filters and tighter controls to protect children on its platforms.
The internal guidelines, which were approved by Meta’s legal and public policy teams, allowed chatbots to express romantic sentiments towards minors under certain conditions. This raised serious concerns from child safety advocates and lawmakers, triggering calls for stronger protections and transparency. Meta has since removed those controversial guidelines and reiterated its commitment to preventing AI from sexualizing children or engaging in inappropriate conversations.
Enhanced Age-Safe Filters and Regulatory Compliance
Meta’s new AI rules include an age classifier that estimates user age through behavioral analysis and places younger users in restricted “Teen Accounts” with tightened privacy controls. These accounts limit who can interact with minors and filter the type of content shown to them. Users between sixteen and seventeen years old have some flexibility, while younger teens require parental consent for expanded access.
The company has also appointed a new leader to oversee AI morality and safety as part of a comprehensive strategy to align with global child protection rules such as GDPR and COPPA. Despite these efforts, experts emphasize the ongoing transparency and importance of regulatory compliance for the reconstruction of the public trust.
This development highlights the challenges big tech faces as generative AI becomes more integrated into social media and communication platforms. Meta’s experience underscores the urgent need for careful AI governance to ensure the safety of vulnerable users, especially children, in an era of rapidly advancing technology.