California enacts new curbs on social media for children
The safeguards aim to protect young people from technology seen as putting them at risk, including through stronger online privacy protections.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed new legislation into law on Thursday, imposing stricter regulations on social media platforms to protect children under 16 from behaviorally addictive features and AI companion chatbots. This is part of a package of 13 bills designed to safeguard young people from technology that may pose risks to their well-being.
The two measures included in the package ban children under 16 from exposure to addictive features on social media and prohibit the manufacture and sale of toys containing chatbot companions for the next four years. The legislation, dubbed "Adam's Law" in honor of a 16-year-old boy who died by suicide after interacting with OpenAI's ChatGPT, encompasses broader online privacy protections for minors and expanded criminal sanctions against child sexual abuse material, including AI-generated content.
Newsom emphasized that the aim is to ensure children grow up in a world where technology supports their wellbeing rather than exploits their vulnerabilities. The new rules join a growing number of US states taking action to address concerns about harmful tech practices, despite opposition from some critics who argue the measures infringe on young people's internet access and free speech.
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- California enacts new curbs on social media for children channelnewsasia.com
- California enacts new curbs on social media for children freemalaysiatoday.com
- New California social media laws target addictive features dw.com
- California enacts new curbs on social media for children cnbc.com
