California banned addictive algorithms and features on social media targeted at minors. The approved legislation establishes the country's strictest regulations for companion chatbots.
The law restricts access for minors under 16 to automatic video playback and algorithmic feeds that are personalized based on user history and profiles.
This measure represents one of the most ambitious attempts in the United States to protect young people from the potentially harmful effects of social media.
This legislation directly affects tech companies like Meta, TikTok, and Google operating in California, imposing significant changes to their products for users under age. Parents and young Californians will see changes in available features, and this law could serve as a model for other jurisdictions looking to regulate manipulative social media design. The measure comes after years of concerns about teen mental health and public pressure on the tech industry.
This is our short summary of a report published by Now on 12 September 2026 at 12:40; the full text stays with the publisher. In our feed it sits under Technology. We currently carry 4207 items in that section.
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