California Governor Gavin Newsom signs bills to curb addictive social‑media features for under‑16s and restrict minors' chatbot use
ai-safety
| Source: Techmeme | Original article
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation that bans addictive social‑media features for users under 16 and curtails minors' access to chatbots.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of 13 bills on Thursday aimed at tightening online safety for children. Two of the measures stand out: a ban on “addictive” social‑media features for users under 16, and the nation’s strongest restrictions on minors’ interactions with artificial‑intelligence chatbots. The legislation makes California the first state to prohibit platforms from offering features such as endless scrolling, autoplay or other design elements deemed habit‑forming to under‑16s, and it sets new limits on how chatbots can be used by children.
The moves build on California’s reputation for pioneering digital‑safety rules. Earlier this month, Newsom approved bills that shape how external groups evaluate AI safety, a development we covered on 10 September. By extending the focus to the user experience, the new laws address concerns that platform design and conversational AI can amplify exposure to harmful content, misinformation, or manipulative engagement tactics. Industry observers see the measures as a test case for broader national regulation, with potential ripple effects for tech companies that operate across state lines.
What comes next will hinge on how the rules are enforced. Regulators must define which features qualify as “addictive,” set compliance timelines, and monitor chatbot interactions for compliance. Companies are likely to lobby for clarification or challenge the statutes in court, while child‑advocacy groups will watch for measurable impacts on youth well‑being. Other states may look to California’s model as a template, potentially sparking a wave of similar legislation. The coming weeks should reveal how quickly platforms adapt their products and whether the bans reshape the broader conversation about responsible design for younger users.
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