# New York AI and digital safety regulations for minors

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/new-york-ai-regulation-for-minors
> Updated: 2026-10-28T16:25:47.000Z. Sources: 56. Developments: 2.

The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) announced a policy for the 2026-27 school year to restrict student-facing generative AI tools for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. While high schools may participate in limited pilot programs, the NYCDOE has flagged 38 specific products for restriction, leading to disputes from technology vendors and adjustments to software features.

Following these local developments, Governor Kathy Hochul signed state-level legislation to protect minors from unsafe AI chatbot interactions. Signed on October 28, 2026, and effective January 1, 2027, the law prohibits generative AI from claiming to be human, alive, or capable of emotions, and bans chatbots from asserting personal, romantic, or authority-based relationships with children. 

The legislation also forbids AI from promoting self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, or substance abuse, and prevents chatbots from using emotional appeals to encourage children to isolate themselves. Specifically, the law prohibits chatbots from prompting children to keep secrets or avoid seeking help from trusted adults. Companies are required to implement rigorous age verification processes that go beyond simple self-declaration and are prohibited from using unsolicited emotional questions or private health data. 

Violations may result in civil penalties of up to $25,000 per infraction, as well as restitution, court-ordered mandates for the destruction of illegally collected data and trained models, or the shutdown of the offending chatbot. While advocacy groups like Common Sense Media have praised the law as a robust safety measure, organizations such as Tech:NYC have criticized it for its “vague language and potential First Amendment implications.” The law excludes AI tools used strictly for customer service, technical assistance, or internal business operations. 

In a related legislative move, Governor Hochul also signed a law mandating security protections for internet-connected baby monitors sold in New York.

## Claims

- Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to protect minors from unsafe AI chatbot features. (reported by 30 sources)
- The AI law prohibits chatbots from claiming to be human, alive, or capable of human emotions to minors. (reported by 29 sources)
- The AI law prohibits chatbots from claiming personal, romantic, professional, or authority relationships with minors. (reported by 29 sources)
- Chatbots are prohibited from promoting suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, or drug and alcohol use to minors. (reported by 26 sources)
- Violators may face civil penalties of up to $25,000 per infraction. (reported by 18 sources)
- Companies must provide at least one age verification method that does not rely entirely on government-issued ID. (reported by 15 sources)
- The AI companion law takes effect on January 1, 2027. (reported by 6 sources)
- New York law requires internet-connected baby monitors to include protections against unauthorized viewing or listening. (reported by 4 sources)
- The baby monitor law takes effect on January 26, 2027. (reported by 1 source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-28: New York Governor signs laws to protect minors from AI chatbots and unsecured baby monitors

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed laws restricting AI chatbots from simulating human relationships with minors and requiring enhanced security for internet-connected baby monitors.

44 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-governor-signs-ai-chatbot-safety-law-for-minors

### 2026-10-26: Education sectors debate AI integration and classroom restrictions

Schools and universities worldwide are debating AI use, ranging from New York City's restrictions on younger students to MIT's call for pedagogical redesign and concerns over cognitive development.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-city-department-of-education-restricts-generative-ai-in-schools

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Cite as: New York AI and digital safety regulations for minors. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/new-york-ai-regulation-for-minors