On July 15, 2026, China’s first AI companion rule took effect. However, some parents, who were concerned about significant AI companion use by their small children, feel a sense of relief. Yet, U.S. law hasn’t caught up with how broadly engagement with AI companion services spans across age groups. China’s rule is instructive here, regardless of what one thinks of China’s broader regulatory model. But those differences shouldn’t prevent the U.S. from expanding AI companion regulation beyond child-specific protections, suicide prevention, and disclosure issues.