California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a legislative package that prohibits social media platforms from using addictive features like autoplay and infinite scrolling for users under 16. The laws also establish strict regulatory frameworks, including mandatory risk assessments and independent safety audits, for AI companion chatbots.
The immediate implication is a forced redesign of engagement loops for any platform accessible to minors in California, likely necessitating robust age-verification gates to avoid steep civil penalties. Within the broader ecosystem, these mandates set a de facto national standard that complicates product roadmaps for Meta and other social video providers already facing multi-billion dollar settlements. The inclusion of AI companion chatbots signals a regulatory shift toward preemptive safety audits for generative features rather than reactive moderation. Watch for the California Attorney General to define additional prohibited features by 2027, which could expand the ban to include specific notification types or gamification elements.
The legislative package also complements recent efforts to increase transparency in synthetic media, such as the California AI disclosure law which targets synthetic performers.
California has enacted new child safety laws prohibiting social media platforms from using addictive features like autoplay and infinite scrolling for users under 16. These regulations also mandate safety audits for AI companion chatbots. This shift forces platforms to redesign engagement loops and implement robust age-verification systems to avoid penalties.
Under Assembly Bill 1709, social media platforms are prohibited from using algorithmically personalized feeds and infinite scrolling for users under the age of 16.
Assembly Bill 2 establishes civil penalties for platform violations ranging from $5,000 to $1 million per child.
Yes, Senate Bill 1119 mandates default parental controls, crisis response protocols, and third-party safety audits for AI companion chatbots marketed to minors.
Operators with over $500 million in revenue are required to submit to third-party safety audits by January 2029.
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