In a move reflecting growing concerns over the impact of social media on youth, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a law requiring digital platforms to issue health warnings to users under 18. The legislation, spearheaded by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, necessitates notifications that highlight the potential mental health risks associated with social media usage. According to the law, social media platforms must inform users that the U.S. Surgeon General has attributed some significant mental health concerns to social media, including problems such as low self-esteem and eating disorders. This notification must appear when a user first accesses the app, and repeated reminders are mandated after prolonged usage. More about this development can be found in the detailed legislative announcement.
The backdrop to this legislative change is a 2023 advisory from former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, which revealed numerous health issues linked to social media. Governor Newsom underscored the necessity of the law by citing several tragic instances where young people have suffered significant harm due to unregulated digital interactions.
Resistance to the new regulation has surfaced, notably from TechNet, representing industry giants such as Meta and Google. They argued the law could infringe upon free speech rights. Despite this pushback, the law marks a broader trend, with the American Bar Association noting wide endorsement by state attorneys general for similar measures. California has been at the forefront of these regulatory efforts, exemplified by a recent decision from the Ninth Circuit Court to uphold a related state law.
In conjunction with AB 56, Governor Newsom approved additional social media-related legislation targeting AI chatbots and enhancing penalties related to pornographic deepfakes. However, he rejected a proposal that aimed to hold platforms accountable under state civil rights law for content-recommendation algorithms, deeming it “premature.”
This legislation will come into force in January 2027, marking a significant step towards increased regulation of social media in California. The directive underscores a broader movement within the state to place more stringent controls on how young users engage with social media platforms. Additional context is provided in a comprehensive report from ABC News.