California’s Bold Move Banning Addictive Feeds for Minors

Late Tuesday, a federal judge upheld California’s law, SB 976, meant to protect minors from addicting online feeds.

The decision marks a significant step forward in regulating tech’s influence on young users. Companies are now required to avoid serving content algorithms that target minors based solely on their behaviors, unless they have clear parental consent.

The term ‘addictive feeds‘ pertains to algorithms that customize content recommendations based on a user’s online actions rather than their stated interests. This approach seeks to mitigate the captivating grip of endless scrolling on children.

Starting January 2027, businesses will also need to implement ‘age assurance techniques’ to filter out such content for minors. These techniques might include age estimation models to accurately assess a user’s age. This progressive mandate emphasizes the responsibility of tech companies to prioritize the mental well-being of younger audiences.

Despite opposition from major industry players, including NetChoice members like Meta and Google, the judge denied their attempt to halt the enactment of this law. They argued that SB 976 infringed on First Amendment rights. However, the court did concede by blocking some parts of the legislation, including restrictions on nighttime notifications for minors.

New York has followed a similar regulatory path, having passed comparable laws in June. Such legislative actions reflect a growing trend towards safeguarding youths from potential digital harm. The support for these laws indicates a broader societal recognition of the need to balance digital engagement with mental health priorities.

With California leading the charge, this landmark ruling sets a precedent in protecting minors from addictive digital content, paving the way for future regulations.

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Emmanuel Kesse

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