Governor Newsom was joined by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and legislators to sign a suite of bipartisan legislation strengthening California’s nation-leading protections for children online and when using artificial intelligence (AI). The new laws strengthen safeguards for companion chatbots, prohibit social media platforms from offering addictive features to users under 16, and expand privacy protections for children.
New legislation to keep kids safe online:
- AB 1709 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Covered platforms: age restriction: e-Safety Advisory Commission.
- SB 1119 by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego), Assemblymembers Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) and Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Companion chatbots: children’s safety.
- AB 2 by Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) – Injuries to children: civil penalties.
- AB 1856 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – Age verification signals: software applications.
- AB 1946 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – Reporting mechanism: child sexual abuse material.
- AB 2246 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) – Online service, product, or feature: access by children.
- AB 1159 by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) – Student personal information.
- AB 2071 by Assemblymember Josh Hoover (R–Folsom) – Pupil instruction: digital wellness.
- AB 302 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) – Pupil and parental communication: extracurricular activities: addictive feeds.
- SB 1276 by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) – Crimes: sexual exploitation of a child.
- SB 1128 by Senator Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles) – Pupils: technology-based materials: school-issued electronic devices.
- AB 2298 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) – Pupil instruction: computer science: content standards.
- SB 867 by Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) – Toys: companion chatbots.