California Under-16 Social Media Ban (AB 1709)
California, United StatesHigh threat- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- Became Law
Stage 4 of 4: Became Law
Uses California's device-level age system to decide who may use ordinary social-media features, forcing an age check onto everyone in the name of restricting under-16s.
Latest update
Signed by Governor Newsom and chaptered as Chapter 183, Statutes of 2026
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Take action on this issueWhat it does
AB 1709 prohibits covered platforms from providing users under 16 with algorithmic feeds, autoplay, notifications, endless scroll, and other features the state classifies as addictive. Before providing those features, a platform must obtain an age signal through California's Digital Age Assurance Act or use an alternative age-determination process. An under-16 account may remain only with the restricted features removed. Knowing violations can draw penalties of up to $50,000 per affected minor and negligent violations up to $25,000. Governor Newsom signed the bill on September 10, 2026 as Chapter 183.
What’s at stake
A platform cannot identify the under-16s without sorting everyone else too. That means more age data, stronger pressure for government ID or biometric checks when weaker signals are challenged, and new stores of sensitive information attractive to hackers and authorities. The law also limits young people's access to recommendation systems that help them find journalism, political discussion, art, religious material, and supportive communities unavailable offline.
Our take
California has replaced parental judgment with a state-backed access system for millions of people. The target is described as addictive design, but the enforcement machinery is mass age verification. Every adult must be checked so the state can restrict every teenager, and the same identity pipe can be reused for whatever category of speech or user lawmakers decide to gate next.
Timeline
Signed by Governor Newsom and chaptered as Chapter 183, Statutes of 2026Latest
Senate passed 39-0; Assembly concurred in Senate amendments; sent to engrossing and enrolling
Amended in the Senate
Passed the Assembly 76-0 and sent to the Senate
Introduced in the Assembly
Sponsor
Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach)
Votes
- Assembly — Initial passage (76 to 0) · May 28, 2026
- Senate — Final passage (39 to 0) · August 31, 2026
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