Gavin Newsom imposes strict new rules on AI, social media and chatbots for children
California governor hails ‘nation-leading’ legislation banning addictive features for users under 16
TL;DR
- California has adopted legislation banning addictive social media features for users under 16, such as infinite scroll and autoplay.
- The laws also introduce new regulations for AI companion chatbots, requiring risk assessments and parental controls.
- Social media companies could face fines of up to $1 million per child if found to have harmed children with their platforms.
- The legislation updates child sexual exploitation laws to include AI-generated imagery of minors.
- Critics, like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, argue that the social media restrictions may amount to a functional ban for young users.
- These new regulations follow similar actions taken in other countries, like Australia's ban on social media for children under 16.
- The state also enacted laws requiring a framework for assessing AI safety risks and an AI auditor registry.