Kids and teens in California endlessly scrolling on social media may soon find it’s easier to put down their phones following a bill Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law on Sept. 20.
SB 976, known as the Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act, would make it illegal for certain websites, social media platforms and other applications to provide an “addictive feed” to minors unless parents give consent. An addictive feed refers to the content that is recommended or prioritized to display to a social media user based on the information they provide, according to the law.
As a result, users may spend more time on the application or online.
The law also prohibits minors from getting notifications from social media platforms late at night and during school hours.
“Every parent knows the harm social media addiction can inflict on their children – isolation from human contact, stress and anxiety, and endless hours wasted late into the night,” Newsom said in a news release. “With this bill, California is helping protect children and teenagers from purposely designed features that feed these destructive habits. I thank Senator Skinner for advancing this important legislation that puts children’s well-being first.”
Here’s what to know about the new law.
How many kids use social media?
Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act takes aim at social media platforms, from mobile applications to websites, that provide users with an addictive feed as “a significant part” of its service. In doing so, it attempts to address the harm social media presents to kids and teenagers.
Up to 95% of children ages 13 to 17 use a social media platform, and more than a third say they use social media “almost constantly,” according to a U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory in 2023.
Numerous factors affect how social media impacts youth mental health, including the amount of time spent on such platforms, according to the advisory. A study found that youth who spent more than three hours per day on social media faced “double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes,” such as symptoms of depression and anxiety, the advisory reported.
The advisory also included figures revealing just how much time some kids spend on social media. Eighth and 10th graders spend an average of three and a half hours on social media as of 2021.
Are notifications also being banned?
Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act will also prohibit these social media platforms or websites from sending kids notifications between the following times:
- 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.
- 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday from September through May
Parents can provide consent so their child can receive notifications during these periods. They also have some flexibility to make controls that suit their children’s lives. For example, parents can choose specific hours to prevent their children from receiving notifications or limit how much their child sees an addictive feed with time controls.
Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
