Common Sense Media Sponsors Groundbreaking California Bill to Protect Children in the Age of AI
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 20, 2025—Common Sense Media, the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families in the digital age, today announced its sponsorship of the Leading Ethical AI Development (LEAD) for Kids Act (AB 1064), groundbreaking legislation introduced by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. By supporting this bill, Common Sense Media aims to ensure that AI development prioritizes children's safety, privacy, and well-being while fostering responsible innovation.
The LEAD for Kids Act is a first-in-the-nation bill specifically designed to ensure that when young people, like students in K–12 schools, use AI they have a safe experience. The legislation would establish an oversight board within California's Government Operations Agency to assess and regulate AI technologies used by children, implementing crucial safeguards as these powerful tools become increasingly prevalent in education, entertainment, and social life.
"We thank Asm. Bauer-Kahan for introducing the most significant legislation ever when it comes to ensuring that young people are protected from AI's potential harms," said James P. Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media. "We fully reject the notion that the race to lead on AI is a choice between being first or being safe. The two must go hand in hand; our kids and teens deserve nothing less than the best technology our country has to offer, with safety and with the knowledge of how to use these powerful tools for education and life. This novel and critical legislation sets a new standard for responsible AI development that puts children's interests first and ensures that innovation advances in tandem with protection."
The LEAD for Kids Act includes several groundbreaking provisions:
- Establishes a standards board to oversee AI systems used by children
- Requires comprehensive risk assessments for AI systems, with heightened scrutiny for high-risk applications
- Prohibits harmful AI applications, including manipulative chatbots and social scoring systems
- Mandates transparency through a product registry and incident reporting requirements
- Requires parental consent for the use of children's personal information in AI training
According to research from Common Sense Media, 74% of teens support mandatory privacy safeguards for AI, which are increasingly critical in light of recent reports about minors' conversations with AI chatbots that lead to disordered eating, self-harm, and suicide. The LEAD for Kids Act addresses these dangers while preserving AI's potential to enhance education and child development.
"This legislation marks a crucial step in safeguarding the next generation from the potential harms of AI, while fostering its positive uses in education and elsewhere," said Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. "Together, we are setting a new standard for responsible and ethical AI development that keeps children's well-being front and center. I am deeply grateful to Common Sense Media and Jim Steyer for their unwavering leadership in ensuring that our children's safety is prioritized in the rapidly evolving world of AI."
Common Sense Media's sponsorship of this legislation continues the organization's long-standing commitment to protecting children in the digital age. For more information about the LEAD for Kids Act, please see Common Sense Media's fact sheet.
About Common Sense Media
Common Sense is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users worldwide and 1.4 million educators every year. Learn more at commonsense.org.