IntroductionThe days of fantasizing about having your own JARVIS—Marvel superhero Tony Stark’s artificial intelligence (AI) powered assistant—are over. For no cost, you can now have engaging conversations with your favorite characters, thanks to the new industry of companion chatbots: AI-operated devices that focus on providing emotional comfort to any internet user. However, although these chatbots may seem like a fun way to connect with fictional characters, experts in the field warn us of the dangers of this technology to children and young adults. From fostering frictionless relationships to developing emotional codependency, AI chatbots pose a challenge to legislators and parents alike. BackgroundRecent developments related to children’s unrestrained usage of AI chatbots exacerbate the worries expressed by both civil society and governmental actors. For instance, on September 16, 2025, the parents of a 16-year-old from California who took his own life testified in a judicial …