California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan have introduced new legislation, Assembly Bill 56 (AB 56), aimed at addressing the mental health risks associated with social media use among children and teenagers. The bill proposes that social media companies be required to display warning labels on their platforms to inform users about these risks.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized the responsibility of ensuring consumers are aware of potential health impacts: "Social media warning labels are an equitable and transparent way to communicate the risks that social media engagement poses to young users." He acknowledged that while warning labels are not a complete solution, they serve as an important tool in tackling the growing mental health crisis among youth.
Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan highlighted the need for families to be informed about the dangers posed by prolonged social media use: “This bill shines a light on those harms and ensures that families are equipped with critical information to make informed choices.”
Dr. Jason Nagata, a pediatrician specializing in adolescent mental health, noted that excessive time spent on social media can detract from healthier activities like sleep and exercise. He pointed out the dual nature of social media, which can provide educational content but also spread misinformation and harmful material.
James P. Steyer, Founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, supported the legislative effort: “Just like we needed seat belts and warning labels for alcohol, we now need digital safety standards for social media platforms.” He commended both Bonta and Bauer-Kahan for their leadership on this issue.
The proposed legislation comes amid increasing evidence linking heavy social media use by young people with various negative outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Algorithm-driven features exacerbate these issues by disrupting adolescents' daily routines through constant notifications designed to keep them engaged.
Earlier this year, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy advocated for mandatory warnings on social media platforms—a proposal backed by Attorney General Bonta along with 42 other attorneys general. AB 56 would require such warnings to appear when users first access a platform and weekly thereafter.
This legislative move is part of broader efforts led by Attorney General Bonta to enhance online safety for minors. In recent months, he has been involved in legal actions against TikTok and Meta over alleged consumer protection violations related to addictive design features targeting young users.