California legislators passed a bill late Monday that would ban social media companies from providing users under the age of 16 with “addictive” features, a week after Meta opted to pay $18 billion to settle a lawsuit in the state alleging it harmed teens.
The bill had widespread support in the heavily Democratic state legislature. It takes aim at features including auto-playing videos and algorithmically curated feeds. Unlike similar legislation adopted by other states, the measure does not allow parents to approve access to such features for a child’s account.
“It’s a watershed moment for the state of California. Democrats and Republicans have come together to solve a public health crisis. That’s long overdue,” said Assembly member Josh Lowenthal (D), the bill’s lead sponsor.
The office of Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) declined to comment on pending legislation, but he said earlier this year that he supported restrictions on teens’ social media use.
In court, the tech industry has faced allegations that it has addicted a generation of children, harming their mental health. Meta’s $18 billion settlement last week to resolve cases brought by almost every state attorney general included an agreement that it would make changes to how children can use its apps such as Instagram.
The bill goes further, applying rules industry wide. It is almost certain to be challenged in court on First Amendment grounds.
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