California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a comprehensive package of laws designed to shield children from the potential harms associated with technology, including social media and artificial intelligence chatbots. The legislation imposes significant penalties on social media companies found negligent in harming minors through their platforms, potentially reaching up to $1 million per child. It also prohibits tech companies from offering addictive feeds to users under 16 and mandates that operators of AI chatbots conduct risk assessments prior to their release.
Newsom emphasized the importance of safeguarding children in an era of readily accessible digital content, stating that the new laws are a positive step for youth and the state. The bill signings occurred at a children's museum near San Francisco, where Newsom was joined by his wife and state lawmakers.
Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan highlighted the disparity between safety measures in physical products and digital technologies, noting that while cribs and car seats are designed with safety in mind, technology has been introduced to children without similar safeguards.
The legislative action follows a settlement reached weeks prior between Meta and California, along with 28 other states. The tech giant agreed to pay up to $18 billion and enhance child safety protocols in response to allegations that it deliberately designed features to foster addiction among children, as outlined in a 2023 lawsuit.
Meta has expressed concerns regarding some of the new laws, with a spokesperson stating that restricting addictive feeds could impede the company's ability to provide tailored and enjoyable content to users, particularly teens seeking to connect with friends and family. The company asserted that personalization is crucial for delivering age-appropriate and relevant content to minors, supported by existing safety measures.
This legislative push reflects California's ongoing engagement with technology policy. Previously, Newsom signed a law requiring platforms to disclose when users are interacting with AI chatbots. However, he vetoed a bill that would have banned AI chatbots for individuals under 18 unless companies could guarantee the technology would not engage in harmful conversations. In 2024, Newsom also signed a law restricting student smartphone use in schools.
Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, who co-authored the law imposing penalties on companies for child harm, described the timing as critical, noting that the pace of technological advancement often outstrips the government's ability to implement regulatory guardrails.
In addition to social media regulations, Newsom also signed laws aimed at enhancing oversight of AI companies. These measures, which have garnered support from companies like Anthropic, call for the establishment of rules for independent organizations to evaluate AI model safety risks and the creation of a registry for AI auditors who must maintain financial independence from the businesses they audit.