Китай vs США: как защищают детей от ИИ-компаньонов и чем подход Пекина строже

China banned AI services of "virtual intimacy" — virtual partners and virtual relatives — for all users under 18: the "Interim Measures for the Regulation of Anthropomorphic AI Services" from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) take effect on July 15, 2026. The US, meanwhile, is taking a different path — through fragmented state laws and stalled federal initiatives.

What China Banned

China has introduced a direct ban on AI companions for minors and mandatory parental consent for younger children. According to the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the new rules cover any "human-like" AI services — from chatbots to virtual characters.

• Ban on "virtual intimacy" (romantic partners, virtual relatives) for everyone under 18 — starting July 15, 2026
• For children under 14 — mandatory explicit parental consent for any human-like AI interaction
• Parents receive risk notifications, can block specific characters, and limit in-service spending
• All AI content must be explicitly labeled as machine-generated
• A separate classification of online content for minors has been in effect since March 1, 2026

According to CGTN, the ban on virtual AI partners for minors became one of the most notable points of the document.

"UNICEF welcomes

China's groundbreaking rules protecting children from AI-related risks," the UN Children's Fund said in a statement.

Why the US Approach Is Stalling

The US relies on fragmented state laws and federal initiatives, which are slowed down by courts and disputes over AI regulation. Unlike China's centralized ban, the American system is built bottom-up and runs into constitutional constraints.

At the federal level, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act) package on June 29, 2026, by a vote of 267 to 117. The package included eight bills, including a version of KOSA and safeguards for minors interacting with AI chatbots. At the state level, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington passed laws banning chatbots from claiming to have consciousness and from having sexual conversations with minors.

Many state restrictions on children's access to social media and algorithmic feeds have gotten stuck due to First Amendment lawsuits. Congress's years-long effort to force Big Tech to protect children has now become entangled with the dispute over AI regulation, adding new obstacles to a long-overdue deal.

What This Means

The world's two largest economies have chosen opposite models for protecting children from AI: China — a fast, centralized ban; the US — slow coordination through courts and states. According to Bloomberg's assessment, Beijing's proactive approach to regulating AI and social media currently looks more effective — though the price of that speed is tight government control. For parents and AI service developers, this means the rules of the game in the two key markets are diverging: in China — clearly defined restrictions set in advance; in the US — a constantly shifting patchwork of state laws.

FAQ

What exactly do China's new rules ban?

The rules ban AI services of "virtual intimacy" (romantic partners and virtual relatives) for everyone under 18, and for children under 14 they require explicit parental consent for any human-like AI interaction.

When do the rules take effect?

The "Interim Measures" for anthropomorphic AI services have been in effect since July 15, 2026. A separate classification of online content for minors took effect earlier — on March 1, 2026.

What is the US doing to protect children?

The US is acting through state laws and the federal KIDS Act, passed by the House of Representatives on June 29, 2026 (267 to 117). The states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington have restricted the behavior of AI chatbots, but many measures are being slowed down by First Amendment lawsuits.