In a significant move for online child safety, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a suite of bills aimed at bolstering protections for children navigating the digital landscape. These measures impose new requirements on tech companies, including age verification protocols and explicit warnings about the dangers of prolonged use of social media platforms. In a statement obtained by the Governor's office, Newsom highlighted the potential of technology to "inspire, educate, and connect" while stressing the need for guardrails to prevent the exploitation and endangerment of young individuals.
The legislation addresses concerns raised by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and deepfakes. One of the laws, AB 243, for example, mandates that companion chatbot platforms establish processes to detect and manage expressions of self-harm among users—heralding a proactive approach to mental health online. In her efforts to protect children, she expressed concerns about the unregulated use of technology by young people, that have led to "horrific and tragic" outcomes that were addressed by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom by maintaining that "Our children's safety is not for sale."
Other key features of the legislation include the requirement for social media platforms to add warning labels informing young users about the risks tied to extended usage. This is alongside stiffer penalties for those distributing deepfake pornography, now facing up to $250,000 per action in civil damages, as detailed in AB 621. This is coupled with the California Department of Education being instructed by AB 772 to adopt, by June 1, 2026, a model policy to guide schools on addressing cyberbullying occurring outside of school hours.
Lastly, the package also targets accountability within the realm of AI by negating the possibility for developers and users to shirk liability under the pretext that the AI acted of its own accord. According to Governor Newsom, the move reaffirms California's commitment to leading in innovation while securing a safe environment for the youngest members of society—they must be safeguarded with future generations in mind—or as quoted in the same announcement, "Everything we do begins with our children — their safety, their health, and their well-being."
