SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A new proposal sitting on Governor J.B. Pritzker’s desk could give Illinois schools the power to discipline students who use artificial intelligence to engage in cyberbullying — a fast-growing issue as technology outpaces classroom policies.
Bill Would Ban AI-Generated Bullying and Explicit Content
House Bill 3851, which passed unanimously in both chambers of the Illinois legislature, would prohibit students from using AI tools to create digital replicas or explicit images of other students — or from using AI to harass or demean their peers.
Under the measure, schools would be allowed to take disciplinary action against students who weaponize AI for harm. The law is set to take effect at the start of the 2026–2027 school year, if signed by the governor.
A Response to Rising Harm Among Teens
Senator Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Crest Hill), who sponsored the legislation, said the proposal responds to real concerns from educators, parents, and students.
“This has been an issue that continues to arise with the development of AI, and so this bill will hopefully take care of that in terms of bullying,”
said Loughran Cappel in a statement published by WAND-TV.
The use of generative AI has opened new doors for harassment, including deepfakes, voice cloning, and AI-generated slander. Lawmakers from both parties agreed that the impact on students’ mental health is too serious to ignore.
Broad Bipartisan Support Across Illinois
Unlike many contentious tech-related bills, HB 3851 received broad bipartisan support in Springfield. Lawmakers on both sides acknowledged that school districts currently lack the tools to address cyberbullying that involves synthetic content.
The bill expands existing anti-bullying statutes by updating definitions to include AI-created content, closing a legal loophole that has allowed some students to avoid consequences for digitally manipulated harassment.
What Happens Next?
If signed, the new law would:
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Allow disciplinary measures for students who use AI to bully classmates
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Ban the use of AI to create explicit, non-consensual imagery of minors
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Take effect for all Illinois schools in the 2026–2027 school year
Gov. Pritzker has not yet indicated whether he intends to sign the measure, but it passed with unanimous support, suggesting little opposition from either side.
Do you think schools should have the authority to punish students for using AI to bully others? How should parents and teachers prepare for these new challenges? Share your thoughts now at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
