From 2027, it will become illegal for social media platforms to provide “addictive feeds” to children. At least, in California. This new law, which follows a similar one passed in New York state, was signed by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday, September 20.
Per CBS, the law describes an “addictive feed” as an app or website “in which multiple pieces of media generated or shared by users are, either concurrently or sequentially, recommended, selected, or prioritized for display to a user based, in whole or in part, on information provided by the user, or otherwise associated with the user or the user’s device.”
What does the social media law prohibit?
Specifically, the law bans social media platforms from sending notifications to minors between 12 am-6 am without parents’ permission. The same goes for 8 am-3 pm between September and May, because that’s when most young people would be at school. The law would also require platforms to set minors’ accounts to private as a default.
In a press statement, Newson said: “Every parent knows the harm social media addiction can inflict on their children — isolation from human contact, stress and anxiety, and endless hours wasted late into the night. With this bill, California is helping protect children and teenagers from purposely designed features that feed these destructive habits.”
This law builds upon other legislation that was passed in 2022, CBS reports. Signed by Newsom, this legislation banned social media platforms from utilizing personal user data in a way that could harm young people.
Further reading:
- MrBeast and Amazon Accused of ‘Chronic Mistreatment’ in Class Action Lawsuit
- Section 230 Won’t Shield TikTok From ‘Blackout Challenge’ Lawsuit
- Meet the Lawyer Taking on the Logan Paul vs Coffeezilla Lawsuit
- Coffeezilla’s Lawyer Is Ready To Defend ‘David Versus Goliath’
- The Global Alliance for Responsible Media Is ‘Discontinuing’ Amid X Lawsuit
