China's Cyberspace Administration has drafted sweeping regulations to shield minors from AI-powered social and companion services, including an outright ban on platforms offering 'virtual intimacy services' to users under 18. The draft rules, published on Friday, 18 September 2026, mark the regulator's most direct intervention yet into the fast-growing market for AI companionship applications.

What the Draft Rules Propose

The proposed regulations, formally titled 'Ensuring Minors' Safe and Healthy Use of the Internet', would prohibit online platforms from providing 'virtual relatives or companions' to anyone below the age of majority. Platforms would also be barred from offering services that 'induce minors to become addicted or otherwise harm or may seriously affect their physical and mental health,' according to the draft document. The rules carry additional restrictions on social networking: online interactions among strangers would be banned for users under 16, with a narrow exception carved out for those aged 16 and above who are financially independent and rely on their own wages.

Why It Matters

AI companion apps have surged in popularity across China, with platforms targeting younger demographics through emotionally responsive chatbots and virtual relationship features. Regulators appear concerned that these services exploit adolescent psychology, potentially fostering dependency at a critical developmental stage. The draft rules represent an escalation of Beijing's broader campaign to limit screen time and platform influence over minors, which has previously targeted gaming and short-video applications.

Scope of Platform Obligations

Under the proposed framework, platforms operating online games, social networking sites, and AI services would be required to automatically activate a dedicated 'minors' mode' for users under 16 — specifically where those services 'could affect the cognition of' younger users. This places AI service providers alongside game developers and social networks in a unified compliance regime for the first time, according to the draft document published by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC).

The Competitive Backdrop

The timing is significant. Several domestic AI firms, including startups building large language model-powered companion products, have been aggressively expanding their user bases. A regulatory ceiling on under-18 users could reshape monetisation strategies for platforms that have relied on younger cohorts for early adoption. International AI companion platforms operating in adjacent markets will also be watching closely, as China's regulatory framework frequently sets a precedent that other jurisdictions reference.

What's Next

The draft is currently in a public consultation phase, and the final text of the regulations could be revised before formal enactment. Industry observers will be monitoring whether the final rules extend liability to app stores and device manufacturers that distribute non-compliant services. The CAC's track record suggests rapid finalisation once a draft reaches this stage, making compliance timelines a pressing concern for platform operators across China.