Meta is revising policies that allowed chatbots to engage in "romantic or sensual" conversations with kids following an explosive report, officials said Friday.

Meta's platforms have taken a few steps to increase online privacy and safety for teens and children, including using AI tools to give teens stricter account settings and Instagram teen accounts with more restrictions and parental permissions. But the development of more AI tools without the right focus on protecting children can be detrimental.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) called for an investigation into Meta following a report that the company let its chatbot flirt and engage in romantic roleplay with children. Driving the news: Reuters reported Thursday that an internal Meta policy document allowed its artificial intelligence to "engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual,