The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Thursday announced it is reviewing how several big tech companies ensure that children interacting with artificial intelligence-powered chatbots are safe and that their privacy is protected.

The inquiry is intended to determine whether the tech companies are taking adequate steps to limit children’s use of the chatbots — a goal that could be at odds with their desires to expand their reach.

Letters were sent to Google parent Alphabet, Character Technologies, Meta, OpenAI, Snap and xAI.

The FTC said its inquiry is designed to help the agency better understand how the companies are attempting to “mitigate potential negative impacts, limit or restrict children’s or teens’ use of these platforms, or comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Rule.”

The agency has asked the companies to provide information about how they monetize user engagement, measure and monitor for negative impacts, inform users and their parents about data collection practices and use or share personal information gleaned through conversations with the bots.

AI chatbots are capable of seeming human and are designed to interact as a friend would. 

In October 2024 the mother of a 14-year-old who killed himself came forward to say the boy was pushed to commit suicide by a Character.AI chatbot.

Earlier this month Meta announced it will bar its chatbot from discussing suicide and eating disorders with children. The move came after Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) opened an investigation into the tech behemoth’s reported internal findings that its AI was able to have “sensual” conversations with children.

“Protecting kids online is a top priority for the Trump-Vance FTC, and so is fostering innovation in critical sectors of our economy,” FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said in a prepared statement. “As AI technologies evolve, it is important to consider the effects chatbots can have on children, while also ensuring that the United States maintains its role as a global leader in this new and exciting industry.“