California SB 867: Senator Proposes 4-Year Ban on AI Chatbot Toys

Big Tech's experiment on the next generation may face a sudden shutdown. A new California bill seeks to impose a four-year moratorium on the sale and manufacture of toys equipped with AI chatbot technology for minors under 18.

California AI toy ban SB 867: Prioritizing Safety Over Innovation

On Monday, Senator Steve Padilla (D-CA) introduced SB 867, a bold legislative move designed to give safety regulators time to catch up with the exponential growth of artificial intelligence. Padilla stated that safety frameworks for such technology are currently "in their infancy" and must grow alongside the tools they aim to govern. "Our children cannot be used as lab rats for Big Tech to experiment on," Padilla remarked, underscoring the urgency of the pause.

The Dark Side of AI Playmates

The push for regulation follows a series of troubling incidents. In November 2025, consumer advocates discovered that Kumma, an AI-enabled bear, could easily be manipulated to discuss dangerous items like knives and matches. Furthermore, the Chinese-made Miiloo toy reportedly spouted political propaganda. More tragically, lawsuits have surfaced over the past year involving children who committed suicide after forming deep, unhealthy emotional bonds with AI chatbots.

The industry is already feeling the pressure. Even giants like OpenAI and Mattel delayed their planned 2025 AI product launch without explanation. While federal executive orders have recently challenged state-level AI laws, SB 867 leverages a specific carve-out for child safety, making it a formidable legal challenge to Silicon Valley's "move fast" ethos.