California bans addictive social media features for under-16s, tightens chatbot and AI rules

The useful part

Jeff Chiu/AP View image in fullscreen California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at the Bay Area Discovery Museum on 10 September 2026 in Sausalito, California. "This is about actually addressing the problem, the scrolling, the algorithms. This is about addressing the substantive issue around the engineering," Newsom said at a news conference in front of the Golden Gate Bridge.

How it works

• The country also recently moved to allow social media users to opt out of algorithm-driven content.
• Since Australia's landmark ban, more than 40 countries are considering or have implemented similar policies.
• Foundation (EEF), a non-profit focused on digital privacy and free speech, argues that AB 1709 is a "functional ban on social media use" for users under 16.
• The tech giant agreed pay up to $18bn and establish safeguards for teen users, such as daily usage limits and blocks on night-time use.

What to take from it

The laws also allow families to opt out of receiving school-issued laptops, and requires AI chatbot operators to conduct risk assessments before introducing them. Australia became the first country to ban social media for children under 16 last year. Under California's new package of laws, social media companies found to have harmed children with their platforms could face fines up to $1m per child.

Example or evidence

• The chatbot bill is named for Adam Raine, who died by suicide last year – his mother has said he was "coached" by a chatbot.
• "Adam was an early adopter of AI, and so many of us parents did not understand the dangers back then," Maria Raine said during Thursday's news conference.
• The new regulations come weeks after Meta agreed to a settlement with California and 28 other states that accused the company of harming children with its products.

Details worth keeping

"Now, we are all becoming more aware of the dangers of AI companionship and the need for our government to act to protect our children." The new regulations also update child sexual exploitation laws to include "digitally altered and " sexual imagery of minors. The package of new legislation is not without critics.

Related coverage

• Techmeme: Colin Lecher / CalMatters: California Gov.
• Engadget: They're aimed at protecting minors, but the rules are not universally supported.