California Enacts Law Restricting Social Media Features for Users Under 16
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 1709 into law, making California the first state to prohibit social media platforms from offering certain 'addictive' features to users under the age of 16. Authored by Assembly Member Josh Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, this new legislation targets features such as autoplay and algorithmic feeds that are based on user history and profiles. The law does not ban minors under 16 from accessing social media entirely but restricts their exposure to these engagement-maximizing functionalities. To oversee its implementation and enforcement, an e-Safety Advisory Commission will be established within the California Attorney General’s office. This move by California follows similar actions taken by other countries, including Australia, which has set a minimum age of 16 for all social media accounts, and France, which banned social media for children under 15. The legislation aims to mitigate the proven harms of social media overuse among minors, as highlighted by ...
