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Rights 1 SOURCE · UNCORROBORATED ≈CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE; PRIMARY DIRECT PROTECTIONS APPLY TO MINORS UNDER 16 WITHIN A STATE OF ROUGHLY 39 MILLION PEOPLE Sep 11, 2026

California bans addictive social media features for users under 16

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed 13 new laws that prohibit social media platforms from using addictive design features like infinite scrolling and algorithmic recommendations for users under 16. The laws apply statewide in California, a state of about 39 million people. The laws have been signed but their implementation and effects are not yet demonstrated, and legal challenges from technology companies are possible.

Why it matters

This is a direct response to concerns about the mental health effects of social media on minors, and it represents a significant policy shift toward regulating platform design to protect young users.

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CHECKED · 1 SOURCE · UNCORROBORATED

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