Australia: eSafety Commissioner issued online safety advisory on risks of AI chatbots and companions to children and young people

On 18 February 2025, the eSafety Commissioner issued an advisory on the risks associated with AI chatbots and companions, particularly for children and young people. The advisory highlights concerns about AI chatbots providing unregulated discussions on sensitive topics such as sex, self-harm, and suicide. It calls on technology companies to adopt Safety by Design principles and comply with Australian online safety laws. Furthermore, the advisory notes that online sexualisation of children and their exposure to restricted content, including pornography and other harmful material, is illegal. The eSafety Commissioner specified that will enforce compliance under the Online Safety Act, using its powers related to industry codes, standards, and Basic Online Safety Expectations.