California Governor Gavin Newsom has enacted a series of laws aimed at safeguarding children from the potential dangers of technology, particularly social media. The legislation, which includes Assembly Bill 1709, prohibits children under 16 from accessing features deemed 'psychologically exploitative,' such as infinite-scroll feeds and algorithmic autoplay.
Additionally, it bans the manufacture and sale of toys with AI chatbots for the next four years and mandates parental controls on such technologies. This move follows the tragic case of Adam Raine, whose death highlighted the risks associated with prolonged interactions with AI. Newsom emphasized the need for technology to support children's wellbeing rather than exploit their vulnerabilities.
The laws have garnered bipartisan support but have faced criticism from groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which argue that they infringe on privacy and free speech.
As California joins other states in regulating children's access to social media, this legislation could set a precedent for future tech regulations, especially as companies like Meta have recently agreed to significant settlements regarding their practices aimed at engaging young users