California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs New Online Child Safety Laws

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a series of laws on Thursday aimed at increasing child safety on social media and AI chatbots. The legislation prohibits social media platforms from offering addictive features to users under 16, specifically targeting algorithmic recommendations, autoplay, and infinite scrolling. Newsom stated that this approach addresses the underlying engineering of the platforms rather than implementing a total age ban similar to the one enacted in Australia.

One specific law, known as Adam's Law or SB 1119, requires AI chatbots to verify user ages and limits the exposure of children to inappropriate content. This law was backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and was developed following reports of chatbots contributing to teen harms, including the suicide of Adam Raine. The legislation restricts the ability of AI companies to advertise to minors and limits the persistent memory chatbots use to retain data on minors without parental permission.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, noted that the bill is not perfect but represents a meaningful step. The company had previously agreed to a similar approach as part of a settlement with several states regarding child privacy and consumer protection. Other laws signed by Newsom address child sexual abuse content and the use of technology in schools. Newsom criticized the federal government for a lack of leadership on the issue, arguing that the United States must establish stronger national guardrails.