California could soon limit social media for kids | CA Politics 360

California lawmakers are moving forward with proposed laws that address the harmful effects of social media on children, including restrictions on addictive features and the ability for parents and children to sue platforms for damages.

This week, the State Senate Appropriations Committee approved the proposals known as AB 1709 and AB 2, whcih were written by Assemblyman Josh Lowenthal, D-Long Beach.

AB 1709 specifically prohibits social media platforms from offering addictive features to users under 16. AB 2 allows lawsuits for civil penalties and damages if a platform harms a minor.

The full State Senate will ultimately decide if the bills moves forward. Lawmakers will decide within the next two weeks whether to send the bills to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature. The state legislature’s session ends August 31st.

In an interview on California Politics 360, Lowenthal said the legislation’s success so far reflects widespread concern among parents across the state.

“There’s really been a sea change that’s taking place over the last couple of years. And parents up and down the state, across the aisle from every geography, every religion, every background that you can think of, all want the same thing. They want regulation. They want action. They’re worried about their kids. And I say that not just as a legislator but as a dad,” Lowenthal said. “I’m worried about my kids, and we really need to do something.”

Lowenthal explained that the bills are crafted to align with ongoing legal cases to ensure they are constitutional, as social media companies have historically challenged similar measures.

“The playbook of the platforms has been to sue against everything that we’re doing and trying to stop any progress in that regard,” he said.

He noted that similar policies are being pursued globally, including in Vietnam, Brazil, and the European Union, which has shifted public perception.

“For so many years, we’ve kind of just taken what big tech has given us. And I think now we’re finding our voice as a people. And that’s reflective in the legislation that’s moving through,” Lowenthal said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom in his State of the State address suggested California do more to address social media’s impact on kids. The governor in his speech pointed to Australia, which has restricted children’s access to the platforms. Lowenthal said he visited Australia to study its implementation and kept Newsom informed during the trip.

“This is not controversial here. Whoever you talk to, whether they’re key stakeholders or people on the street, were overall supportive, happy that their government was taking action,” Lowenthal said.

The proposal to ban addictive features has bipartisan support. Lowenthal emphasized that the measure is not a ban but a delay in harmful features.

“We don’t say that we’re banning kids from riding bikes or skateboards when we say that you need to wear a helmet while you do so. And that’s effectively what 1709 does. We don’t ban children from using social media. What we’re saying is social media can’t access our children unless they don’t have these harmful features,” he said.

Lowenthal highlighted features like auto-scroll, infinite scroll, and notifications that contribute to addiction, noting that children spend an average of five hours a day online, often more than they spend in school. He confirmed social media companies would have the option to provide chronological timelines and other alternatives that are not addictive.

“When you count weekends and holidays, that means they’re spending more time on social media than they are in school. And stop and think about the oversight that we have at school. We get to talk to our teachers, administrators, elected school board members. We’re involved on a day-to-day basis with the PTA and otherwise. We know who to go to when there’s a problem. And what do we have on social media? We have nobody to call. There is no customer service. There are no representatives in our communities from those outfits,” Lowenthal said.

He added that children’s developing brains make them particularly vulnerable to addictive features.

“They don’t have physiologically a prefrontal cortex yet. They can assess the consequences of their actions. Their brains at that age of development is really important that we hold sacred. And so this legislation takes care of that,” he said.

Lowenthal addressed concerns from youth advocacy groups, including LGBTQ and neurodivergent communities, who worry the legislation could limit access to online connections.

“The beautiful thing about our system is that we enable key stakeholders to voice their opinions along the way and really help shape legislation to make it stronger and stronger. And that is absolutely the case here,” he said.

Lowenthal emphasized that the California model creates a pathway for safe social media use without cutting off access for marginalized groups.

The tech industry remains opposed to the measures, with concerns about potential lawsuits and First Amendment challenges. However, Lowenthal expressed optimism about collaboration with the industry.

“I am not an enemy of the tech industry. I actually come from tech myself. I don’t see them as the problem. I actually see them as the solution,” he said. “These are some of the brightest, smartest innovators on the planet. And I think that we’re all going to turn the corner and together reach alignment.”

Lowenthal also praised the bipartisan support for the bills, noting that legislators are united as parents in addressing the issue.

“This is really how government should work. This is what people expect of us, to be able to reach across the aisle to solve problems,” he said.

KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.