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UK to Ban Under-18s From AI Romantic Companion Chatbots

June 15, 2026 at 10:28 EDT

Policy & Regulation
AI Agents

The UK government announced on 15 June 2026 that it will ban people under 18 from using AI "romantic companion" chatbots designed to simulate sexual or romantic relationships, alongside a ban on offering social media to under-16s, with both targeted to take effect in spring 2027.

June 2026 · UK Government

UK to Force Age-18 Limit on AI "Romantic Companion" Chatbots

Chatbots built to simulate sexual relationships or roleplay must enforce a minimum age of 18, and all AI chatbots must lock "intimate functionalities" for under-18s — closing a regulatory loophole left by the Online Safety Act.

18+

Minimum age enforced for romantic / sexual roleplay chatbots

Age below which social media provision is to be banned (effective 2027)

~90%

of parents backed banning social media for under-16s

A national consultation on "restoring childhood"

116,211 total responses — shown to scale

116,211

Total responses

54,000+

From parents

14,000+

From children

What the rules cover

Dedicated companion apps

Chatbots built primarily for sexual relationships or roleplay must enforce age 18.

All other chatbots

Must restrict sexually explicit or roleplay "intimate functionalities" for under-18s.

Supporters say

Prioritizes child safety and curbs growing teen dependence on AI "girlfriends," addressing harm and privacy risks.

Critics say

"Nanny state" overreach: age checks expand surveillance, VPNs bypass them, and root causes like loneliness go unaddressed.

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