California Passes Groundbreaking Law to Shield Kids from Social Media’s Dark Side

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California youth will receive new protections against the dangers of social media addiction under SB 976, a bill introduced by state Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, that was approved by the legislature on Saturday.

“Social media companies have designed their platforms to addict users, especially our kids. Studies show that once a young person has a social media addiction, they experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and suicide. But social media companies have been unwilling to voluntarily change their practices,” Sen. Skinner said. “With the passage of SB 976, the California Legislature has sent a clear message: When social media companies won’t act, it’s our responsibility to protect our kids.”

The bill, known as the Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act, is sponsored by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the Association of California School Administrators, and Public Health Advocates. It has also garnered support from the American Academy of Pediatrics and a broad coalition of educators, health professionals, and advocates for families and children.

Social media companies have long been criticized for intentionally designing their platforms to increase user engagement and profits, often at the expense of young users’ mental health. Research shows that youth are particularly vulnerable to the psychologically manipulative algorithms that encourage excessive time spent on social media. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children in the U.S. spend between 6 to 14 hours per day in front of a screen, with a significant portion of that time dedicated to social media.

The bill addresses concerns that features such as constant notifications keep young users tethered to their devices at all hours. Studies have linked this social media addiction to higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicides, lack of sleep, and low self-esteem among youth.

In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, highlighting the role of social media in the ongoing youth mental health crisis. Dr. Murthy called on policymakers, technology companies, and others to take action to minimize the harm and protect children.

SB 976 mandates that social media platforms implement default settings for users under 18 that are designed to protect them from addictive content. These settings include prohibiting the delivery of addictive feeds, blocking notifications during school hours and late-night hours, and automatically setting minors’ accounts to private. While parents have the option to override some of these settings, the bill does not allow them to change the privacy settings for their children’s accounts.

Recognizing the importance of online communities for young people, SB 976 does not impose content restrictions or limit youth from searching and engaging with content of their choice. The bill aims to balance the protection of youth with their ability to build connections and seek out communities online in a safe environment.

SB 976 now awaits the signature of Gov. Gavin Newsom to become law. If signed, California will join New York as one of the few states to have enacted legislation aimed at curbing social media addiction among youth.