Written Testimony in Support of Protecting Minors from the Harm of AI Chatbots

Posted by Minnesota Catholic Conference on March 27, 2026

Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee

March 27, 2026

Chair Klein and Members of the Committee:

We write to express our support for the effort to protect minors from the dangers of generative AI chatbots (S.F. 1857). Thank you for hearing this important legislation that works to safeguard the minds of children during key developmental years.

There is little benefit to a child having unfettered access to addictive AI chatbots that are designed to affirm what the user is saying. Talking to AI chatbots instead of family and friends can further isolate children by diverting their attention from real-life relationships and emotional intimacy.

Furthermore, children have been encouraged by AI chatbots to commit acts of self-harm, and, in some cases, even suicide. There is also evidence of children being exposed by chatbots to inappropriate content and even sexual harassment.[1] We should prioritize protecting children during their adolescent years by shielding them from engaging in these dangerous, simulated “conversations.”

In a recent message, Pope Leo XIV encouraged legislators to consider regulations, saying, “Appropriate regulation can protect individuals from forming emotional attachments to chatbots and curb the spread of false, manipulative or misleading content, safeguarding the integrity of information as opposed to its deceptive simulation.”[2]

We urge you to take a step forward by implementing safeguards to shield our children from the harm that these AI chatbots can cause. Please vote yes.

Thank you for your consideration

Maggee Hangge Assistant Director for Family Policy [email protected]

1 https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/preliminary-report-on-dangers-of-ai-chatbots

2 https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/messages/communications/documents/20260124-messaggio-comunicazioni-sociali.html