Australia moves to ban AI chatbots that act like a child's best friend

Australia's government wants to ban AI chatbots that try to build "emotional intimacy" with children. The digital duty of care bill passed the lower house on Wednesday. It now goes to the Senate. The push followed a speech by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who warned about children treating chatbots as their "best friend."

What the bill would do

The bill would apply new online safety standards to social media, games, apps and chatbots. It sets an overall duty for tech platforms to provide a safe online environment for all Australians. It would replace a range of existing online codes and standards with that broader duty.

Communications minister Anika Wells has said the laws would cover content that promotes misogyny, terrorism, suicide, self-harm and eating disorders.

The chatbot rule

Crossbench lawmaker Kate Chaney proposed an amendment, and the government accepted it. Platforms would have to ban material or conduct that simulates emotional intimacy and encourages a child's dependence on it in place of human relationships.

Albanese said stories of people calling a chatbot, a "non person," their best friend should be a "huge wake up call" for Parliament.

Control over your feed

Social media platforms would also have to offer an opt-out from their algorithm and suggested content. That means a way to switch off the system that picks what you see. A second Chaney amendment says this option must be accessible, easy to use and prominently available. The worry was that companies might hide it or make it tiny.

Where the politics stand

• The opposition and One Nation voted against the bill in the lower house.
• Opponents call it "Orwellian" censorship. Wells strongly denies that.
• The Greens support it and want people to be able to sue platforms, with higher penalties.
• The Coalition says it will not vote for it, though Labor is open to amendments.

A missing complaints route

Some lawmakers want the telecommunications industry ombudsman to handle complaints about big tech. Ombudsman Cynthia Gebert said people currently get automated responses or escalations that go nowhere. Her office can help with a Telstra account but not a Gmail account. Labor did not accept this change, and Wells would not voice support for it. The Greens plan to push it in the Senate.

What happens next

The government hopes to pass the bill by the end of 2026, but its path through the Senate is unclear. A Greens-led Senate inquiry is due to report back in late November. For parents, the signal is clear: lawmakers now treat chatbot friendships as a child safety issue worth writing into law.