Politics
California tightens social media and AI rules to shield minors
September 11, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a 13-bill package restricting how tech platforms and AI chatbots engage with children and teens.
- Newsom signed the measures Thursday, barring social platforms from offering under-16s features tied to compulsive use, including autoplay, notifications, and algorithmic feeds.
- A further law expands criminal penalties for child sexual abuse material to cover AI-generated or digitally altered images and bans AI chatbots that mimic real friendships.
- AI companies must run independent annual child-safety audits and risk assessments or face legal accountability.
- Newsom named one bill "Adam's Law" after a 16-year-old who died by suicide in 2025 following ChatGPT chats; OpenAI said it is strengthening safeguards in the tool.