New California social media laws target addictive features

California has enacted new regulations on social media use for children under 16, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing the measures into law on Thursday. The legislation aims to protect young people from technology that could put them at risk, particularly by limiting their exposure to behaviorally addictive features on social media platforms.

Among the 13 bills signed by Newsom, two of the most significant are the ban on children under 16 accessing features that are known to be behaviourally addictive and a prohibition on toys containing AI companion chatbots. These measures are part of a broader package designed to safeguard minors from potential harm caused by technology.

Another notable addition is the expanded scope of criminal sanctions against child sexual abuse material, including digitally altered or AI-generated content that depicts a person under 18 engaged in sexual conduct. Additionally, the bill bans the manufacture and sale of toys with companion chatbots for the next four years, requiring parental controls on chatbot programs, and mandating safety and risk assessments.

Newsom emphasized that these regulations are the most comprehensive of their kind in the nation, aimed at ensuring children grow up in a world where technology supports their wellbeing. The bill, named Adam's Law in honor of a 16-year-old who took his own life after engaging with suicidal thoughts validated through months of discussions with OpenAI's ChatGPT program, garnered broad bipartisan support.

However, some critics, like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, raised concerns about the potential privacy and free speech implications. California's move follows a trend of other US states, including Utah, Arkansas, Louisiana, Ohio, Texas, Florida, and New York, adopting laws regulating children's access to social media, though the approaches vary.