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California Lawmakers Pass Bill to Strip Teens of Addictive Social-Media Features
On Monday, California lawmakers moved decisively to shield teens from the subtle traps of social‑media design. The newly approved Assembly Bill 1709 (AB 1709) bars platforms from offering features like infinite scrolling and autoplay videos to users under 16, targeting the mechanics that drive prolonged engagement.
AB 1709 was drafted by Democratic Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal of Sacramento. In a statement following the vote, Lowenthal said, “Parents are asking us to step up and protect their children from the harmful design choices built into today’s social media platforms.” The bill does not ban teens from using Instagram, TikTok or other services; it merely limits the features engineered to maximize screen time.
The measure sailed through both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support. Republican Assemblymember Josh Hoover, a co‑author, emphasized the need for proactive policies, noting that lawmakers must “follow through with more policies that are going to help protect kids, not just the courts.” Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, who had previously criticized California Democrats, added that the state must act “in the absence of responsible leadership and action by our U.S. Congress.”
AB 1709 arrives on the heels of a landmark settlement with Meta Platforms, Inc. Last week, Meta agreed to a deal that could total up to $18 billion, resolving claims from dozens of state attorneys general that Facebook and Instagram’s design choices posed addiction and mental‑health risks for youth. The settlement ranks among the largest ever in a child‑safety lawsuit against a social‑media company.
The bill fits into a broader trend of state‑level efforts to regulate specific design features rather than impose outright age restrictions. California’s new law follows the 2024 passage of Senate Bill 976, the “Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act,” which prohibits platforms from providing addictive feeds to minors without parental verification. While other states have considered similar measures, many have faced First Amendment challenges.
Governor Gavin Newsom has yet to sign or veto AB 1709, but officials say he is likely to approve it. Newsom has previously voiced support for restricting social‑media access for teens under 16 and called for stricter youth‑online‑safety guardrails in his final State of the State address. The governor has until September 30 to decide on all pending bills.
At the federal level, Congress remains divided over how to regulate social‑media platforms. While proposals have been debated, bipartisan consensus has not yet emerged. Tech giants such as Meta and Google have lobbied for their preferred child‑safety policies, and California lawmakers have been active in shaping the national conversation.
AB 1709’s focus on design elements—like infinite scrolling, autoplay, and other features that encourage prolonged engagement—reflects a shift toward regulating the mechanics of platforms rather than restricting user accounts. The bill’s language specifically targets features that “maximize screen time,” aiming to reduce the likelihood that teens will become trapped in endless feeds.
The law’s passage raises questions about enforceability and potential legal challenges. Critics argue that limiting design features could be difficult to monitor and that the bill may face First Amendment scrutiny. Supporters contend that the measure is a pragmatic step toward protecting children’s mental health while preserving access to digital communities.
As AB 1709 moves to the governor’s desk, stakeholders—including parents, advocacy groups, and technology firms—are watching closely. The California Department of Justice has already released proposed regulations under SB 976, and the state’s Office of the Attorney General is preparing to enforce the new restrictions.
In the coming weeks, the governor’s decision will determine whether California becomes the first state to regulate addictive design features for teens. If signed, the law could set a precedent for other states and influence federal policy, reshaping how social‑media companies design and operate their platforms for younger audiences.
The current situation remains that AB 1709 has cleared the Legislature and is awaiting the governor’s action. Its future will depend on the governor’s decision before the September 30 deadline and on any subsequent legal challenges that may arise.
AB 1709 was drafted by Democratic Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal of Sacramento. In a statement following the vote, Lowenthal said, “Parents are asking us to step up and protect their children from the harmful design choices built into today’s social media platforms.” The bill does not ban teens from using Instagram, TikTok or other services; it merely limits the features engineered to maximize screen time.
The measure sailed through both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support. Republican Assemblymember Josh Hoover, a co‑author, emphasized the need for proactive policies, noting that lawmakers must “follow through with more policies that are going to help protect kids, not just the courts.” Republican Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, who had previously criticized California Democrats, added that the state must act “in the absence of responsible leadership and action by our U.S. Congress.”
AB 1709 arrives on the heels of a landmark settlement with Meta Platforms, Inc. Last week, Meta agreed to a deal that could total up to $18 billion, resolving claims from dozens of state attorneys general that Facebook and Instagram’s design choices posed addiction and mental‑health risks for youth. The settlement ranks among the largest ever in a child‑safety lawsuit against a social‑media company.
The bill fits into a broader trend of state‑level efforts to regulate specific design features rather than impose outright age restrictions. California’s new law follows the 2024 passage of Senate Bill 976, the “Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act,” which prohibits platforms from providing addictive feeds to minors without parental verification. While other states have considered similar measures, many have faced First Amendment challenges.
Governor Gavin Newsom has yet to sign or veto AB 1709, but officials say he is likely to approve it. Newsom has previously voiced support for restricting social‑media access for teens under 16 and called for stricter youth‑online‑safety guardrails in his final State of the State address. The governor has until September 30 to decide on all pending bills.
At the federal level, Congress remains divided over how to regulate social‑media platforms. While proposals have been debated, bipartisan consensus has not yet emerged. Tech giants such as Meta and Google have lobbied for their preferred child‑safety policies, and California lawmakers have been active in shaping the national conversation.
AB 1709’s focus on design elements—like infinite scrolling, autoplay, and other features that encourage prolonged engagement—reflects a shift toward regulating the mechanics of platforms rather than restricting user accounts. The bill’s language specifically targets features that “maximize screen time,” aiming to reduce the likelihood that teens will become trapped in endless feeds.
The law’s passage raises questions about enforceability and potential legal challenges. Critics argue that limiting design features could be difficult to monitor and that the bill may face First Amendment scrutiny. Supporters contend that the measure is a pragmatic step toward protecting children’s mental health while preserving access to digital communities.
As AB 1709 moves to the governor’s desk, stakeholders—including parents, advocacy groups, and technology firms—are watching closely. The California Department of Justice has already released proposed regulations under SB 976, and the state’s Office of the Attorney General is preparing to enforce the new restrictions.
In the coming weeks, the governor’s decision will determine whether California becomes the first state to regulate addictive design features for teens. If signed, the law could set a precedent for other states and influence federal policy, reshaping how social‑media companies design and operate their platforms for younger audiences.
The current situation remains that AB 1709 has cleared the Legislature and is awaiting the governor’s action. Its future will depend on the governor’s decision before the September 30 deadline and on any subsequent legal challenges that may arise.
