FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 29, 2025
Contact:
Ashwin Verghese, Communications Director
[email protected]
508-263-0289
Statement on Character.AI’s Pledge to Prevent Kids from Using Its Chatbots
The following statement can be attributed to Fairplay Executive Director Josh Golin:
“Character.AI’s announcement is promising, but it needs to be backed up by laws and regulations that make this a legal standard for all AI companies. We have seen Big Tech companies like Instagram make announcements about protecting teens when they are facing government pressure and bad PR, but those companies have usually failed to live up to their promises.
“It’s good that Character.AI recognizes that relational chatbots are not safe for minors, but the devil is in the details, and we look forward to learning more about how the company will implement age assurance and what its new experiences for teens will look like.
“We commend Megan Garcia and other parents for their incredible advocacy that brought about these changes.”
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About Fairplay
Fairplay is the leading nonprofit committed to helping children thrive in an increasingly commercialized, screen-obsessed culture, and the only organization dedicated to ending marketing to children. Fairplay works to enhance children’s well-being by eliminating the exploitative and harmful business practices of marketers and Big Tech. Learn more at www.fairplayforkids.org.