− MEDIA & ARTS We already kinda knew that thanks to a hack of the company’s data in July. And Suno admitted to training its…+ LIFESTYLE hatGPT AI 80s Trend: How to Make Indian Cricketer-Style Retro PhotosIf you've been scrolling through Instagra…± POLICY California has adopted what Gavin Newsom described as “nation-leading” legislation that bans addictive social…+ BUSINESS The UK economy grew in July as the rapid expansion of AI appeared to outweigh the economic damage from the Ir…± HEALTH In our modern society, digital devices, social media platforms, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools have b…+ CLIMATE The growing complexity of electric vehicle charging station (EVCS) operations—driven by grid constraints, ren…± HEALTH Objectives This study aim to develop, compare and internally validate machine-learning models for predicting…+ HEALTH Diabetes management faces a number of obstacles, such as fragmented healthcare data, privacy concerns, poor e…
TruaceTracing the truth around AISaturday, September 12, 2026
Subscribe
Policy·The Trace·Dual reading·Published 2026-09-12

California AB 1709 and companion chatbot regulations restricting social media features for users under 16

Source article: Gavin Newsom imposes strict new rules on AI, social media and chatbots for children

Abstract: California has adopted what Gavin Newsom described as “nation-leading” legislation that bans addictive social media features for young users, regulates companion chatbots and implements new safeguards around AI. The laws, signed by the Democratic California governor on Thursday, include AB 1709, which bars social media companies from using infinite scroll and autoplay for users under 16. “This is about actually addressing the problem, the scrolling, the algorithms. This is about addressing the substantive issue…

TRV-2026-1057JournalismPermanent record — cite & verify
Trace impact reading

Contested: both sides are scored from claims and sources, not community votes.

P 59The P score combines the specificity and measured human impact of the grounded problem claim with the strength of this Trace’s cited sources.G 60The G score combines the specificity and measured human impact of the grounded gain claim with the strength of this Trace’s cited sources.
Gavin Newsom imposes strict new rules on AI, social media and chatbots for children
The quick read

On 10 September 2026 California signed a package of laws described as nation-leading that bans infinite scroll and autoplay for users under 16, requires risk assessments, parental controls and crisis protocols for AI companion chatbots, and updates child exploitation statutes to cover AI-generated sexual imagery of minors, with penalties up to $1m per child.

The move matters because it creates the first statewide chatbot safety regime in the US and tests whether design restrictions reduce youth harm, while critics including the Electronic Frontier Foundation warn the approach functions as a ban that removes digital lifelines without proven safety gains, leaving enforcement and effectiveness uncertain.

Main points
  • AB 1709 bars infinite scroll and autoplay for users under 16 and allows fines up to $1m per child for harm
  • New rules require AI chatbot operators to conduct risk assessments, add parental controls and crisis protocols
  • Package updates child sexual exploitation laws to include digitally altered and AI-generated sexual imagery of minors
  • Laws follow Meta settlement of up to $18bn with California and 28 states over alleged harm to children
Gain

California's new package creates the strongest U.S. companion chatbot rules and bans addictive features like infinite scroll for under-16s to protect young users from harm.

Problem

Critics argue AB 1709 functions as a ban for under-16s that cuts young people off from digital lifelines and speech without making them safer or healthier.

The rundown

On Thursday in front of the Golden Gate Bridge, Newsom signed AB 1709 and related bills that also let families opt out of school-issued laptops and require chatbot risk assessments before deployment. The chatbot bill is named for Adam Raine, who died by suicide last year after his mother said he was coached by a chatbot.

The package builds on other recent actions including Anthropic-backed laws requiring a state framework for independent AI model safety assessments and a registry of AI auditors, and comes weeks after Meta agreed to pay up to $18bn and add daily limits and night-time blocks for teens.

Sources

Reader signal

How should this claim be treated?

The debate