Sacramento, CA – California is taking significant strides to protect its youngest residents from the harmful effects of social media. Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 976, a groundbreaking law designed to curb the potentially addictive and harmful digital behaviors encouraged by social media platforms, particularly among minors.
Authored by State Senator Nancy Skinner, SB 976 introduces stringent requirements for digital platforms. It aims to prevent these platforms from fine-tuning their algorithms to addictively engage children without explicit parental consent. Additionally, the legislation restricts the ability of social media companies to send notifications to minors during school hours or in the early hours of the morning, from midnight to 6 am.
By January 1, 2027, all social media companies operating within the state will be required to verify the ages of their users to enforce these rules effectively. This move is expected to enhance the safety of children on social platforms significantly.
The introduction of this law comes as a relief to many Californian families who have experienced the darker side of social media firsthand. Among them are parents who have lost children to overdoses facilitated by drug dealers connected through social media platforms, highlighting a grim and growing channel of illegal activity that the new law seeks to address.
Despite the apparent benefits, SB 976 is likely to face substantial legal challenges, echoing the difficulties faced by previous legislations such as California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code Act. The challenges might focus on potential First Amendment violations and aspects of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which limits the liability of internet platforms for the content posted by their users.
Recent judicial opinions, such as one from the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, have noted that the algorithms directing AI systems are not a form of protected human speech. This distinction could influence future interpretations and legal challenges related to SB 976.
The law also aligns with efforts to reduce the occurrence of online harms such as suicide baiting, human trafficking, the promotion of dangerous challenges, and the sale of drugs and firearms to minors.
Parallel to SB 976, Governor Newsom also signed Assembly Bill 3216, requiring school districts to adopt policies that restrict or eliminate phone usage on school campuses by July 1, 2026, except for emergency uses or as part of classroom lessons. This bill, authored by Assemblymember Josh Hoover among others, seeks to mitigate the distractions caused by smartphones, potentially enhancing students’ focus and academic performance.
These laws represent California’s continuing role as a technology leader, not just in innovation but also in regulating the adverse influences emerging from these advancements. Both parents and educators are hopeful that these new regulations will foster a safer and more focused learning environment for students throughout the state.
Observers are closely watching these developments in California, often seen as a bellwether for national policies, to see if similar protections and regulations will be adopted elsewhere in the United States.