California has officially enacted new legislative measures placing strict restrictions on how social media platforms interact with underage users, marking a major step forward in state-level efforts to protect youth online.
Key Highlights
- New rules target addictive design features, such as infinite scrolling and automated notifications.
- Platforms will face increased limits on collecting and monetizing data from minors.
- The law reflects growing nationwide concern over the impact of digital platforms on adolescent mental health.
The legislation aims to curb features designed to keep children engaged for prolonged periods, particularly restricting push notifications during school hours and overnight. Under the new guidelines, tech companies are required to implement stricter default privacy settings for minors and provide enhanced tools for parental oversight.
The move comes amid increasing pressure from parents, educators, and public health officials who point to rising rates of anxiety and sleep deprivation linked to heavy social media use among teens. While digital rights and industry groups have raised concerns regarding implementation and potential legal challenges, California’s new restrictions are expected to set a powerful precedent for tech regulation across the nation.