California enacts new curbs on social media for children
California enacted laws restricting addictive social media features for under-16s and banning AI companion chatbots in toys.
TL;DR
- California Governor Gavin Newsom signed new laws restricting tech companies.
- Children under 16 will be protected from "psychologically exploitative features" on social media, such as infinite scroll and algorithmic autoplay.
- Toys containing AI companion chatbots are banned for the next four years.
- The new laws aim to enhance online privacy for minors and address concerns about technology's impact on children's well-being.
- One measure, dubbed "Adam's Law," is in memory of a teenager who died by suicide after discussions with ChatGPT.
- California joins other states and countries in enacting stricter regulations on technology use by minors.
- Critics, like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, have raised concerns about privacy and free speech.
- Meta recently agreed to a settlement resolving claims that its platforms were designed to addict children.