Senator Katie Britt Highlights Concerns Over AI Chatbots and Youth Safety During Senate Hearing – Calhoun Journal
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) participated in a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing focused on the potential harms caused by artificial intelligence chatbots. The hearing examined issues surrounding adolescent use of these platforms, including recent reports of chatbots engaging in inappropriate conversations with minors.
Expert witnesses included Dr. Mitch Prinstein, Chief of Psychology Strategy and Integration at the American Psychological Association, and Robbie Torney, Senior Director of AI Programs at Common Sense Media. Senators also heard testimony from three parents whose children experienced severe mental health challenges, including suicide, after extended interactions with AI chatbots.
Senator Britt opened her remarks by citing alarming statistics about youth mental health and social media, noting that one in three high school-aged girls consider suicide and a quarter have formulated a plan. She emphasized concerns over children substituting human interaction with artificial companionship, stating, “We’ve never been more connected … but never been further apart.”
Dr. Prinstein echoed these concerns, testifying that adolescent relationships are among the strongest predictors of long-term health and well-being. He warned that replacing peer relationships with chatbot interactions represents “a crisis for our species.”
Senator Britt also pointed to Alabama’s recently enacted FOCUS Act, signed by Governor Kay Ivey, which prohibits cell phones in public school classrooms. She highlighted positive feedback from teachers about improved classroom engagement and student interaction.
In questioning Mr. Torney, Britt raised the issue of chatbots allegedly coaching minors on how to conceal conversations from parents. Torney testified that testing revealed harmful content, including sexual roleplay, self-harm, and drug-use simulations. “If it’s on the internet and it’s a harm you can imagine, chatbots will talk about it,” he said.
Britt has previously introduced legislation aimed at protecting children online, including the Kids Off Social Media Act, which would establish a minimum age of 13 for social media use, and the Stop the Scroll Act, requiring warning labels on platforms. She has also spoken out against reports of chatbots engaging in romantic roleplay with children, calling such practices “outrageous” and pledging accountability for tech companies.
Paid Advertisement – Click for More Information
Paid Advertisement – Click for More Information
Paid Advertisement – Click for More Information
Paid Advertisement – Click for More Information
Sign up for our Email News Blasts
Copyright © 2025 Calhoun Journal | Designed and Managed by JLM Communications
