Meta, Google, and TikTok have sued California to stop a new law called AB 1709. The law aims to protect children under 16 from social media features that can keep them scrolling for hours. These features include autoplay videos, endless scrolling, and personalized recommendations. The companies have filed separate lawsuits in federal court to prevent the law from taking effect.
The law says platforms must turn off these “addictive” features for users below 16. If a child continues using them, the platform may have to delete that account. Companies that knowingly break the rule could face fines of up to $50,000 for each affected child. The law is scheduled to come into force from January 1, 2027.
The companies argue that the law violates free speech under the First Amendment. They say California cannot decide how they should organize, recommend, or automatically play content. Meta, Google, and TikTok claim that personalized feeds and autoplay are part of how they present information to users.
Many people support stronger controls because children can spend too much time online and may be influenced by harmful content. Others worry that age checks could require platforms to collect more personal data. The real question is simple: should technology companies be allowed to design products that keep children hooked, or should governments step in to protect them?
CHILDREN NEED PROTECTION, NOT ENDLESS SCROLLING.
Sanjay Sahay
Have a nice evening.