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What just happened? California is tightening the rules on how tech companies keep children glued to their screens. Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a package of laws targeting addictive social media features and potentially harmful AI companions, with large platforms facing penalties of up to $1 million per child for negligently causing harm.
Newsom's office describes the chatbot and social media protections as the strongest in the country, including the nation's first requirements for independent child safety audits and annual risk assessments for companion chatbots.
The measures, which were signed on September 10, include AB 1709, which prohibits social media companies from offering addictive features to users under 16. That covers autoplay and algorithmic feeds built around a user's history and profile.
