Protecting teens from AI abuse is an easy win for Congress — on BOTH sides of the aisle

Americans consistently give low grades to Congress, but one issue that can prove a winner for both sides of the aisle is protecting kids from the potential harms of AI.

This month, a survey from FabrizioWard found a whopping 81% of registered voters back a federal law requiring AI platforms to include protections “to reduce risk to minors,” including mental-health issues, sexual exploitation, and self-harm.

There’s little mystery why the issue is top of mind for many Americans, given the rash of high-profile cases of teens committing or attempting suicide, with parents blaming the AI chatbots their kids were hooked on.

Plus, the sickening tales of teens circulating AI-created nudes of their classmates.

Kids are extra vulnerable to the misuse and abuse of the increasingly powerful (and prevalent) technology, so creating a nationwide set of guidelines for tech companies, spelling out what’s expected of them when it comes to keeping minors safe, makes plenty of sense.

The industry would prefer that over a patchwork, state-by-state approach that will make compliance near impossible.

President Donald Trump has already backed AI regulation at a national level, and he issued an executive order this month that aims to curb state laws that could conflict with national standards and impede the industry’s development.

Federal action to protect teens, meanwhile, “has double-digit margins of support” across the political spectrum — from Trump voters to swing voters to Kamala Harris supporters.

Indeed, voters are so hungry for action that a full 60% (including 42% of Harris voters!) back the idea of the White House setting out guidelines via a presidential executive order until Congress acts.

Republicans would be wise to take the lead — FabrizioWard found that it could seriously boost support in the midterms.

But they shouldn’t let quibbles over broader AI regulation slow down passage of teen protections.

Get that part passed ASAP, and leave the bickering over more complex policy points until later; a one-off bill focused purely on minor safety is low-hanging fruit.

In this age of hyper-partisanship, it’s rare to find an issue on which so many Americans unequivocally agree.

What a shame if Congress were to miss out on a prime opportunity to work together and respond to voters’ pressing concerns.