California to Reshape Social Media Landscape for Minors
A groundbreaking bill signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom last Friday has the potential to revolutionize how children use social media in the state. The legislation, set to take effect in 2027, aims to protect minors from the harms of social media addiction.
The bill, SB976, prohibits social media platforms from providing "addictive feeds" to minors with parental consent. Additionally, it bars platforms from sending notifications to minors outside of certain hours, without parental approval. This means that minors’ feeds will have to be chronological orders of the people they follow, eliminating algorithmic recommendation-based feeds like TikTok’s "For You Page".
"This bill is about protecting our children from the harmful effects of social media," Governor Newsom stated. "Every parent knows the damage that social media addiction can inflict on their children, from isolation to stress and anxiety. We’re helping to shield children and teenagers from features that feed these destructive habits."
The bill’s authors plan to have the state’s attorney general implement age verification and parental consent regulations by 2027. While the law leaves some space for minors to potentially bypass regulations, it marks a significant step towards safeguarding children online.
TikTok is already embroiled in a legal battle with the U.S. government, and it’s unclear whether the platform will still exist in the United States in 2027. Nevertheless, this bill will drastically alter the way social media operates, sparking a potential legal battle before its implementation.
The law has an unusual collection of opponents, including the ACLU of California, Equality California, and associations representing tech giants like TikTok and Meta. Despite this opposition, the bill’s passage is likely to have a profound impact on the future of social media for minors in California.
