California lawmakers are poised to pass legislation this August that would prohibit social networks from employing “addictive” features for users under the age of 16. The proposed law requires platforms to eliminate recommendation algorithms, endless scrolling, and automatic content playback for children’s accounts.
The measure has garnered support from Governor Gavin Newsom, who previously championed restrictions on social media access for minors. Supporters argue that California, as the birthplace of Silicon Valley, could set a significant precedent for social media companies facing mounting pressure across state legislatures and courts.
However, the law may face legal challenges. Opponents have raised concerns about potential violations of free speech and skepticism regarding the effectiveness of such restrictions. Recent developments indicate that at least 20 states have enacted similar measures to protect children online, though many have been temporarily blocked by courts in the past year.
Globally, nations are increasingly enacting measures to restrict social media use for minors under the guise of protecting them from harmful content and addiction.
