California Enacts Law to Curb Social Media Addiction Among Minors

Governor Newsom signs legislation banning addictive social media feeds for children without parental consent, effective January 2027.

The Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act prohibits social media platforms from providing 'addictive feeds' to minors unless parental consent is obtained.
The law restricts notifications to minors during school hours and late at night, aiming to reduce distractions and encourage healthier habits.
Parental controls are mandated, allowing parents to set specific hours for notifications, limit access, and manage privacy settings for their children's accounts.
Critics argue the law could infringe on First Amendment rights and lead to increased data collection for age verification purposes.
The legislation follows similar efforts in other states and comes amid growing concerns about the mental health impacts of social media on young people.