Published September 15, 2026 by Mia Travers-Hayward, this piece argues governments should proactively regulate generative AI chatbots in K-12 schools rather than waiting for lawsuits akin to those now targeting social media companies. It contends AI chatbots pose risks to students’ knowledge retention and critical thinking without having been rigorously tested before classroom deployment, and calls for independent product evaluation, mandatory child-rights impact assessments, and design standards that prioritize learning over engagement.
