New Florida Legislation Proposed to Shield Children from AI Risks
Parents in Vero Beach and throughout the Sunshine State may soon see stricter regulations governing how artificial intelligence interacts with minors. A new bill introduced in the Florida Legislature aims to establish significant safeguards for AI chatbots, specifically targeting concerns regarding mental health, self-harm, and exposure to inappropriate content.
Representative Christine Hunschofsky (D-Broward) has introduced HB 659 – Interactions with Artificial Intelligence. The proposed legislation seeks to mandate that chatbot operators implement evidence-based protocols to detect when a user is discussing suicidal ideation. In such instances, the AI would be required to direct the user to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline rather than continuing a potentially harmful conversation.
The bill outlines several key protections designed specifically for younger users:
Representative Hunschofsky emphasized the urgency of these regulations, citing the growing emotional impact of this rapidly advancing technology on youth.
Increasingly, we are seeing heartbreaking cases where young people form deep emotional bonds with AI companions that end up pushing them further toward self-harm. These companion chatbots blur the lines to the point that people can’t tell the difference between a human and AI.
She noted that the bill is designed to ensure there are “real warnings, strong safeguards, and real accountability” for tech companies putting these products on the market.
This legislative push comes amidst a broader conversation about Artificial Intelligence in Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis recently advocated for a “Bill of Rights” aimed at protecting Floridians in the age of AI. The Governor has also expressed specific opposition to the unchecked growth of “hyperscale data centers” in the region, vowing to protect taxpayers from developments such as Project Tango, a massive data center proposed for neighboring Palm Beach County.
As the legislative session continues, Indian River County families will be watching to see if these digital protections become law.
