California Governor Signs Laws Aimed at Protecting Kids From Social Media and AI

One of the laws will penalize large social media companies that are found negligent in harming children. Another would ban tech businesses from offering addictive feeds to anyone under 16.

Associated Press

Sep 12, 2026 — 4 min read

Photo of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, bottom center, signing bills at the Bay Area Discovery Museum, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in Sausalito, Calif., by Jeff Chiu/AP

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 12, 2026 (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a sweeping package of laws Thursday aimed at protecting children from the risks of technology, including social media and AI chatbots.

The laws will penalize large social media companies up to $1 million per child if they are found negligent of harming children through their platforms, ban tech businesses from offering addictive feeds to anyone under 16, require operators of AI chatbots to perform risk assessments before rolling them out and allow families to opt out of receiving school-issued laptops.

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