Attorneys general across the country are increasingly taking decisive action against major technology companies and artificial intelligence firms accused of failing to protect children online as federal lawmakers remain deadlocked.
John Cusey, executive director of the Institute for Families and Technology, stated that parents no longer seek permission: “When you talk to them on the state level, they don’t care if it’s Republican or Democrat.”
A significant focus has been Roblox, a gaming platform popular with children. Alabama, Nevada, and West Virginia have all reached settlements with the company over allegations of inadequate protections for minors.
“Alabama stepped in where others failed to act,” said Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall when announcing the state’s $12.2 million settlement with Roblox.
Marshall noted that attorneys general can compel companies to change business practices through consumer protection enforcement mechanisms.
West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey emphasized that states are acting because Washington has shown inaction: “What we like to say is that Republican attorneys general act and do and Congress talks and doesn’t. In order for there to be significant child safety changes, it’s going to have to come from AGs and from states, because Congress has proved time and time again that they are incapable of acting in real time on actual problems.”
Under Nevada’s agreement with Roblox, users must undergo age verification using age-estimation technology and government-issued identification. Supporters argue such checks are necessary for child protection, while critics raise concerns about privacy implications from requiring additional personal data.
Meta, TikTok, Discord, Snap, and Reddit also face state investigations over their child-safety practices.
Artificial intelligence companies are drawing heightened scrutiny as well. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier opened a criminal investigation into OpenAI and ChatGPT following allegations that the suspect in a Florida State University shooting was “assisted” by ChatGPT. His office also reported that a suspect in the killings of two University of South Florida doctoral students asked ChatGPT about disposing of a body.
Uthmeier stated on social media: “If ChatGPT were a person, it would be facing charges for murder.” He added, “AI is being used to create child sex abuse material, advise kids on how to hurt themselves and commit suicide and carry out heinous crimes.”
Recent jury verdicts against Meta and Google have further intensified pressure on technology companies. The cases targeted platform design rather than user content, potentially weakening the protections tech firms have long relied upon under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri called for Congress to “take a leap from their playbook” and “take that as a wake-up call.”
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez compared the current fight against Big Tech to the 1990s tobacco litigation, stating: “this is our moment.”
Cusey added that state officials may be more responsive due to their proximity to parents and voters: “You probably do get a more responsive state-level government at that point because I do think they’re closer, and they’re listening, reacting to the political signals there.”
