🔴 Must Know
Two major jurisdictions moved against AI companions for minors on the same day. On 21 September the European Commission proposed the EU KIDS Act: no social media for under-13s, guardian-managed “mini accounts” for ages 13–15, and AI companions and chatbots that are off by default and may not simulate relationships in ways that create emotional dependency. The same day China’s Cyberspace Administration opened draft rules (comments to 17 October) that would ban “virtual intimate relationship” services for under-18s and require a dedicated minor mode for AI services. Both are proposals, not law: the EU text now goes to Parliament and Council, and the Commission’s own summary names no school-specific provisions. Why it matters: together with California’s laws (covered last week), the direction of travel is consistent across three regions. If your students can reach a companion-style chatbot on school devices or networks, your acceptable-use policy and filtering review should name it explicitly now, before regulation does.
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