What happened
On 18 September 2026 the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) published the 25-article draft 'State Council Regulation on Protecting Minors' Healthy Use of the Internet' for public comment until 17 October 2026. The draft prohibits platforms from providing minors under 18 with virtual family members or AI companions in ways that induce emotional dependence, requires AI and social-networking services affecting minors' cognition to be provided to under-16s only through a minor mode with age-appropriate content limits and guardian notification (including on self-harm/suicide risk detection), and bans services that induce addiction.
Why it matters
When finalised, this binds every AI chat/companion platform serving Chinese minors — one of the largest AI deployment markets — and its minor-mode, addiction and emotional-dependence restrictions align with the EU KIDS Act's safe-by-design approach to AI companions, signalling a global convergence on restricting AI companion products for children. The deadline to file comments is 17 October 2026.
Action needed
AI chatbot/companion providers reaching Chinese users must submit comments by 17 October 2026 and should model age-verification, minor-mode and emotional-dependence controls now to be compliant when the rule is finalised.