California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced a preliminary victory in defending a new state law aimed at protecting children from social media addiction. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California largely denied efforts by major technology companies to prevent Senate Bill 976, known as the "Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act," from being implemented on January 1, 2025.
Attorney General Bonta highlighted the impact of social media on young people's mental health, stating, "There is mounting evidence showing the devastating toll that social media addiction can have on our children's mental health and well-being. This addiction is not an accident; it is fed by algorithms deployed by Big Tech." He further emphasized that the law allows youth to form their own relationship with social media rather than one shaped by corporate interests: "California’s landmark law allows young people to intentionally develop the relationship they want with social media, rather than the relationship that is most profitable for companies using tricks and traps to glue young people’s eyes to their screens."
While most of SB 976 was upheld, two sections were blocked on free speech grounds. The Attorney General's office disagrees with this part of the ruling, asserting that no portion of SB 976 regulates speech. The California Department of Justice plans to continue defending the legislation vigorously.
The statute received bipartisan support and backing from educators, public health experts, and parents across California.
A copy of the court's decision is available for review.