From Engadget · Anna Washenko · · 1m 30s
California just rewrote the rules for teens online
Newsom signed a package of laws capping how minors use AI chatbots and social feeds, and not everyone thinks it helps.
In brief
Newsom signed a package of laws capping how minors use AI chatbots and social feeds, and not everyone thinks it helps. California is betting that stripping addictive features and auditing AI companies protects teens, but the fight is over whether that protection costs kids access and privacy. Originally reported by…
Newsom signs the package
California's governor approved a set of laws on September 10 aimed at how minors use social media and AI chatbots. Both targets got hit in the same round.
Chatbots get guardrails
AI companies must now build in time limits for teens, mental health resources, and safety protocols when a minor brings up self harm. Parents get notified if a kid switches safety settings off.
Audits with teeth
The state will require independent child safety audits and annual risk assessments from AI companies. Miss the mark and there is legal liability attached.
“independent child safety audits and annual risk assessments”
No addictive feeds under 16
Social platforms cannot serve users under 16 anything the law calls addictive. That sweeps in autoplay, notifications, and personalized algorithmic feeds.
Critics call it a ban
The EFF says stripping those tools out amounts to shutting teens out of digital spaces entirely, not making them safer.
“Denying minors access to digital forums is not going to help make young people safer or healthier in the AI age”
The age check problem
To prove who is under 16, every user ends up handing over more personal data. That is the same privacy objection raised against age verification laws elsewhere.
The takeaway
California is betting that stripping addictive features and auditing AI companies protects teens, but the fight is over whether that protection costs kids access and privacy.
