Additional Coverage:
California Tightens Social Media Regulations for Minors
Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to combat social media addiction among minors. The Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act prohibits platforms from knowingly creating addictive feeds for children under 18 without parental consent.
Curbing Notifications and Promoting Chronological Feeds
The bill bans social media notifications to minors during school hours and from midnight to 5 a.m. during the school year unless parents consent. Social media companies are also required to offer chronological feeds as an option instead of algorithmic feeds.
State’s Commitment to Child Protection
Newsom emphasized the need to shield children from the harmful effects of social media addiction. The bill was sponsored by State Senator Nancy Skinner and supported by Common Sense Media CEO James P. Steyer, who praised its focus on giving children control over the content they see.
Legal Challenges and Criticism
Critics argue that the bill’s language is vague and could violate the First Amendment. They maintain that it restricts platforms’ editorial discretion and the dissemination of information.
Nationwide Trend
California joins other states in enacting social media regulations for children. Florida has banned social media accounts for children under 14, while New York has restricted algorithm use and data collection for minors.
Federal Developments
Federal privacy protections apply to children under 13. The Supreme Court will review a Texas law requiring age verification for sexually explicit websites. Instagram has recently implemented new settings for teen accounts to enhance privacy and limit screen time.